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Aditi Hardikar

Indian-American is White House LGBT liaison Details on page 6

Indian-origin teen gets funding for Braille printer Details on page 6

Singh invites Israel to 'Make in India' in defense Details on page 7

Mumbai victims seek $688 mn from Pakistan Details on page 8

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

Should Ro Khanna start preparing for next election?

Last week’s result

Is the Indo-US nuclear deal now in limbo?

YES 47%

NO 53%

VOL 20, No. 1052

November 14, 2014

50¢

Periodical Postage

HALEY IN INDIA TO WOO BUSINESS

WASHINGTON: Fresh from her emphatic re-election, South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley is visiting India to bring investment and promote her state as a tourist destination in her parents' native country.

During the 10-day trip beginning November 12, Haley and her delegation are scheduled to have as many as 90 meetings in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Mumbai and Chennai.

Nikki Haley, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York in September, told reporters that she did not know what to expect from the trip. However, she saw opportunities in pharmaceuticals, automotives and agriculture.

Looking forward to the trip, she said, "There's a lot that India is doing very well that they now want to start investing in the United States." "That's really where my goal is: where can I get them to invest and do more of those things."

"The State of South Carolina is launching our first trade and investment mission to India," Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said.

Details on page 5

Ro Khanna

Ro Khanna concedes defeat in Silicon Valley Details on page 5

Bera confident of winning Sacramento seat Details on page 5

Tulsi Gabbard completes National duty Details on page 7

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 48 Community Post -------------- 16-22 Date Book -------------------------- 47 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 36-39 Horoscope ------------------------- 14 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 50-52 Perspective ------------------------ 49 Philosophy ------------------------- 53

WARM WELCOME: In Myanmar for the ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the President of Myanmar, U. Thein Sein, at Nay Pyi Taw, on November 11. Modi later tweeted, "We talked about strengthening ties in the fields of culture, commerce and enhancing connectivity." (Details on page 8)

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 34-36 Sports Post -------------------- 30-31 TechBiz Post ------------------- 24-27 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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November 14, 2014

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

Publisher’s Diary

T

he mid-term polls returned dramatic results which saw several Indian Americans clocking major victories that throw up some interesting pos sibilities for the future of American politics.

These Indian American winners almost stand out on their own irrespective of the altering profiles of their respective political parties.

The desi victory band is being led by our star performers Nikki Haley, who impressively held on to the Governor's mansion in South Carolina, and Kamala Devi Harris, who won a second term as California's Attorney General. It does not matter who their opponents were considering the fact that a substantial number of their constituents vindicated their work in the last four years.

A record 30 Indian Americans contested the mid-terms this Nov. 4, and interestingly, most of those who won happen to be incumbents, which of course is a given, for after all, aren't we Indian Americans known for our diligence and hard work?

So, never mind the ones that didn't make it - particularly Neel Kashkari (who ran a stunt-filled campaign for California Governor) among half a dozen others - but there are enough of those who made the home run for the community to stay in the reckoning as a force in American politics.

To name those that won or retained their seats in various state legislatures from across the country are, Janak Joshi, Republican from Colorado state assembly; Democratic delegates Kumar Barve and Aruna Miller from Maryland; Republican Niraj Antani in Ohio (he is only 23!); Republican Sabi Kumar in Tennessee; Democrat Samir Singh in Michigan; Republican Prasad Srinivasan in Connecticut; Democrat Pramila Jayapal in Washington State and Democrat Latha Mangipudi in New Hampshire. Well, congratulations to all.

While we gloat on their spoils, I am prompted to think big. I am thinking of a not-too-far future where Republican Governor Nikki Haley could well run for President and Democrat Kamala Harris would be a sure candidate for California Governor.

It's the women to the fore, folks. Wonder if Bobby Jindal will still be around?

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: PeeCee in polka In Los Angeles to attend a Halloween party, Priyanka Chopra was eye-catching in a quirky outfit and retro make-up.

Cover Story: Haley in India South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley is visiting India to bring investment and promote tourism in her state

Community: Gandhi Legacy The celebration of Gandhi Legacy at Loyola University in Chicago underlined relevance of non-violence & satyagraha

Obama to act The White House says that President Obama is all set to take executive actions to fix the broken immigration reform.

Life style: Sanju's biopic The stage is set for Rajkumar Hirani's biopic on Sanjay Dutt which may go on floors before the actor is released

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Aviation policy India has brought in a fresh aviation policy recommending listing of state-run AAI and chopper firm Pawan Hans

Badami Once a royal capital of the Chalukyas, Badami is full of cave temples, entryways, fortresses and carvings.

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November 14, 2014

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Haley in India to woo business WASHINGTON: Fresh from her emphatic re-election, South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley is visiting India to bring investment and promote her state as a tourist destination in her parents' native country.

During the 10-day trip beginning November 12, Haley and her delegation are scheduled to have as many as 90 meetings in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Mumbai and Chennai.

Nikki Haley, who met Prime

those things."

"The State of South Carolina is launching our first trade and investment mission to India," Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said.

The delegation includes Commerce personnel, the state's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, private-sector economic development allies and several South Carolina-based companies looking to make export connections, he said.

During her India visit, in addition to meeting top Indian leaders and officials, Haley will make several public addresses including Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Minister Narendra Modi in New York in September, told reporters that she did not know what to expect from the trip. However, she saw opportunities in pharmaceuticals, automotives and agriculture.

Looking forward to the trip, she said, "There's a lot that India is doing very well that they now want to start investing in the United States." "That's really where my goal is: where can I get them to invest and do more of

"The goal of the trip is to put South Carolina on the map with Indian businesses."We will be introducing the advantages of doing business in South Carolina to Indian companies in order to enhance our trade ties and to encourage domestic investment by Indian companies," Hitt said.

During the visit, Haley would also be positioning South Carolina as a top tourism destination.

India sends one of the largest

numbers of tourists to the US, but a small fraction of them come to South Carolina.

Haley and Duane Parrish, Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, will pitch South Carolina tourism to a gathering of India-based travel media.

"From the business side, foreign-direct investment has been a key economic development strategy for the state," Hitt said adding that international companies like Michelin, BMW, FUJIFILM, Honda and many others have established a presence in our state and they continue to grow.

This is nothing short of a grueling schedule for the delegation, with more than 90 individual meetings and events planned, he said.

South Carolina Government would be spending around USD 50,000 for the trip.

During her India visit, in addition to meeting top Indian leaders and officials, Haley will make several public addresses including Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

According to official figures, from 2011 to present, foreignbased companies contributed 34 per cent of new jobs and 60 per cent of investment in to South Carolina.

Bera confident of winning Sacramento seat

Ami Bera

WASHINGTON: Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera is confident of winning the Sacramento County seat after gaining more than 1,650 votes over his Republican opponent in the polls, with several thousand ballots still to be counted.

With this, the lawmaker has reduced the deficit by just 530

votes.

Bera is the only serving IndianAmerican in the current Congress and on the election day of November 4 he was trailing behind by several thousand vote against his Republican challenger Doug Ose. With many votes left to tally, the race for California's 7th Congressional District is still too close

to call.

"Today was a good day. As I've said since this process began, the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters is staffed by professionals and we need to let them do their jobs and ensure every vote is counted," Bera said in a statement.

"Once all the counting is done, I'm confident I will be representing Sacramento County in the 114th Congress," Bera said with confidence.

Ballots that have not yet been counted include some vote by mail ballots and provisional ballots. In both 2010 and 2012, those same types of ballots significantly favored Bera.

In 2012, Bera's race was too close to call immediately after the election, but after the Registrar of Voters counted those types of ballots, Bera won by a margin of 9,191 votes.

The counting of votes is expected to continue for the next several days.-PTI

Companies based in Japan, Germany, France, China and Canada represented the top five contributors to foreign-direct investment in South Carolina from

in 2005.

This ranks South Carolina 14th in the nation for total exports to India, according to the US Department of Commerce.

South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley

2011-2013.

Exports from South Carolina to India last year totaled USD 352 million, up from USD 110 million

US exports to India have more than doubled (up 127 per cent) since 2006, from USD 9.6 billion to USD 21.8 billion. -PTI

Ro Khanna concedes defeat in Silicon Valley seat WASHINGTON: Indian-Ameri- term," Khanna told his supportcan Ro Khanna has conceded ers in Fremont. defeat after giving the seven-term Honda has been elected to the Congressman and incumbent US House of Representatives for Mike Honda the toughest fight of the eighth-term, but not before his life for the Silicon Valley Con- getting battered with the toughgressional seat. est race of his congressional caThe 38-year-old patent attor- reer. ney, Khanna, conceded to his opSlamming Khanna at his vicponent from Democratic party, Honda, acknowledging the 73- Honda was leading with year-old lawmaker has 4,000-plus votes and both an insurmountable lead in a race that gained candidates agreed it would national attention. be impossible to reverse it, Honda was leading even though counting of with 4,000-plus votes and both candidates postal and absentee ballots agreed it would be im- were still going on possible to reverse it, even though counting of postal and absentee ballots tory speech, Honda said, "We sent were still going on. out a message that the voters of "I just called Congressman this district value a lifetime of serHonda to congratulate him on his vice to the community more than victory after a hard-fought cam- a lifetime of serving oneself." paign. I wished him well as he returns to Washington for another Cont’d on page 8

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Indian-American named White House LGBT liaison WASHINGTON: Indian-American Aditi Hardikar has been appointed to a key White House position to liaison with the LGBT as well as the Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities, an official said.

Hardikar, who till recently was director of the LGBT Leadership Council at Democratic National Committee, replaces another Indian-American Gautam Raghavan at the White House, who has now joined the Gill Foundation.

According to a White House official, Hardikar started as the new Associate Director of Public Engagement in the Office of Public Engagement.

"In her role, she is the White House's primary liaison to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community," the official said.

Prior to joining the White

Aditi Hardikar

House, she served as Director of the LGBT Leadership Council and Director of the AAPI Leadership Council for the Democratic Na-

tional Committee, where she raised resources and mobilized community leaders around democratic issues.

She also served as the LGBT Finance Director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee in 2013, and the Deputy Director of LGBT Voter Outreach and LGBT Finance for the 2012 Obama-Biden President Campaign.

Aditi planned events and organized progressive young Americans for the Campus Progress team at the Center for American Progress in Washington.

She also served as a White House intern in the Office of Public Engagement, where she worked on LGBT issues.

A graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, she earned her BA in Economics and Political Science.

Raghavan welcomed the ap-

Indian-origin teen gets funding for Braille printer HOUSTON: A 13-year-old Indian-origin boy has received a huge investment from Intel for developing a low-cost printer for the blind, making him the youngest tech entrepreneur funded by a venture capital firm.

visually impaired that he started to wonder how blind people read.

So, like any other 7th grader would do, he asked his parents. His father's response: "Go Google it".

While googling, Shubham discovered the high cost of Braille

Shubham Banerjee

Shubham Banerjee, CEO of the Braille printer maker Braigo Labs, had closed an early round funding with Intel Capital, the company's venture capital arm, last month to develop a prototype of low-cost Braille printer.

Till last year, California-based Shubham had no idea what Braille was and it was only when he came across a fundraising flyer for the

printers, which usually cost more than USD 2,000.

"When I found out the cost of a Braille printer, I was shocked," Shubham said in a recent media report. "I just wanted to help the visually impaired. I had a Lego Robotics kit, so I asked, 'Why not just try that?'"

Built out of Lego's Mindstorms EV3blocks and little pieces from

Home Depot Braigo Lab's printer turned out to function quite well.

It earned Shubham a lot of recognition too, including 'The Tech Awards' 2014 and an invitation to the White House Maker Faire, an event that awards student entrepreneurs and innovators.

Shubham believes it could solve a decades-long problem that's been holding back so many visually impaired people around the world -- the high cost of Braille printers.

Shubham says his printer could significantly cut down the price of Braille printers to less than USD 500. According to his website, there are 285 million visually impaired people worldwide, and 90 per cent of them live in developing countries.

It's not easy to drop a couple grand on a printer, even by a developed country's standards.

Impressed by his product and vision, Intel came calling last September and told him it would invest in his company.

And last week, the investment was made official at the Intel Capital Global Summit, when Braigo Labs was mentioned as one of the 16 tech startups Intel's investing in this year.

The exact amount of the investment was not disclosed, it's reported to be a few hundred thousand dollars, making Shubham the youngest tech entrepreneur ever funded by a venture capital firm. -PTI

pointment of Hardikar to the White House.

"Aditi has served President Obama for many years - including on his 2012 campaign and at the

this President's Administration," he said.

Human Rights Campaign also welcomed her appointment.

"Aditi Hardikar has already

Aditi planned events and organized progressive young Americans for the Campus Progress team at the Center for American Progress in Washington.

She also served as a White House intern in the Office of Public Engagement DNC - with distinction, integrity, and grace," he was quoted as saying by Washington Blade.

"She will bring fresh energy and perspective to the position and its portfolio. I also think it's worth noting that she will be the first woman of color to serve as the White House LGBT Liaison reflecting the talent and diversity of the LGBT movement as well as

been a tremendous advocate for our community in her work with the Democratic National Committee," Stephen Peters, its spokesperson said.

"We are thrilled she will be joining the White House team and look forward to working with her on important issues in our ongoing fight for full equality," Peters said. -PTI

1984 riots: Sikhs protest outside UN NEW YORK: Hundreds of Sikhs protested outside the United Nations headquarters here demanding justice in the 1984 antiSikh riots case even as a report on the killings and human rights abuses against the community was presented to the world body.

Victims of the 1984 riots met with officials of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) here, sharing evidence and documentary evidence about

Rights group 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) submitted a report titled 'November 1984 Sikh Genocide' to Sensi for submission to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

According to attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ, "First time in 30 years UN afforded an opportunity to the victims of November 1984 to present in person testimony and evidence to show that violence against Sikhs was genocidal in

riots that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The victims also told Human Rights Officer Stenfano Sensi of OHCHR about the alleged role of Congress leaders in the riots while hundreds of Sikhs from North America rallied outside the UN Headquarters on the 30th anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots.

nature".

"The facts and evidence presented to the Human rights Commission proves that 1984 violence is Genocide as per article 2 of the Genocide Convention," added Pannun.

During the conversations, survivors of the riots Gurdeep Kaur and Jasbir Singh shared their experiences. -PTI

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Singh invites Israel to 'Make Tulsi Gabbard completes National Guard duty in India' in defense TEL AVIV: India has invited Israel to become a partner in the 'Make in India' initiative in the defense sector even as the Jew-

The 'Make in India' initiative is the concept rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently to boost the manufacturing sec-

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Tel Aviv in Israel on November 7

ish state expressed its desire to share cutting-edge weapons technologies with New Delhi.

These discussions were held between visiting Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon at the defense headquarters here.

tor.

Singh was accompanied by senior officials from his ministry and Indian Ambassador to Israel Jaideep Sarkar, a Home Ministry statement said.

The minister, the statement said, emphasized the priority ac-

corded by both sides to the bilateral relationship and agreed to continue to cooperate in various areas, in particular in the defense sector.

Singh outlined various policy changes and decisions taken by the government of India and referred in particular to the relaxation in the Foreign Direct Investment limits in the defense sector.

"He urged the Israeli defense sector to 'Make in India'," the statement said.

The Israeli defense minister said that his country wanted to develop relations in the defense sector and wants to discuss the possibility of transferring cuttingedge technologies for manufacturing in India.

The two sides also discussed the regional scenario and the threat posed by terrorism not only to India and Israel but to the world in general.

"A number of areas of specific cooperation were discussed including protection of border areas and information sharing," it said. -PTI

WASHINGTON: Influential lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard, the only Hindu member of the US Congress, has completed her active duty call-up with the Hawaii Army National Guard in response to the

The National Guard is supporting the County of Hawaii's emergency response to the ongoing lava flow that is impacting residents of Pahoa," her spokesperson Heather Fluit said.

Tulsi Gabbard working in the Command Cell at Joint Task Force Response in Pahoa, Hawaii. Pic SSG Katie Gray/DVIDS

lava flow on the Big Island.

"Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has completed her State Active Duty orders with the Hawaii Army National Guard, in response to the Kilauea lava flow.

Lava from Kilauea destroyed more than 180 homes between 1983 and 1990, but until this week none had been lost since 2012.

Kilauea has been an active volcano since 1983.-PTI

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Modi meets Myanmar President Thein Sein NAY PYI TAW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Myanmar's President U Thein Sein to begin a string of bilateral meetings with over 40 world leaders during his 10-day three-nation tour on the

Presidential Palace here shortly after his arrival at the Nay Pyi Taw international airport where he was given a guard of honor and greeted by young boys and girls in traditional costumes. He was

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in discussion with the President of Myanmar, U. Thein Sein, at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on November 11

margins of key multilateral summits here and in Australia and a visit to Fiji.

Modi met Then Sein at the

welcomed by Myanmar's Health Minister Than Aung.

After his 45-minute meeting, Modi tweeted that he had a "very

good" meeting with President Thein Sein. "We had extensive discussions covering various aspects of our bilateral relations," he said.

"We talked about strengthening ties in the fields of culture, commerce and enhancing connectivity," said Modi.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin posted on his Twitter account that the two leaders had "comprehensive" discussions and reviewed all aspects of bilateral ties.

"Connectivity, commercial ties and cultural bonds figured in talks with President Thein Sein," he said, as India seeks deeper economic engagement with Southeast Asian nations.

The Prime Minister earlier on landing had tweeted, "Landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to a very warm welcome! Great being in this beautiful country. Our ties with South East Asia are deep rooted.

Strengthening relations with ASEAN nations is an important part of our 'Act East' policy," he had earlier tweeted. "Summits, important bilaterals, meeting over 40 world leaders," he tweeted as he left New Delhi by a special Air India plane.-PTI

Talks on Nuke deal with Aus making progress NEW DELHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, India has said negotiations in working out the "administrative arrangements" that will govern the actual implementation of the landmark India-Australia nuclear deal is making "good progress".

The deal inked between the

Brisbane on November 16.

The two countries are likely to sign four to five agreements and MoUs after Modi's talks with Abbott in Canberrra, Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry, told reporters.

The pacts relate to transfer of sentenced prisoners, coopera-

Modi and Abbott during their talks in Delhi had directed their respective negotiators to conclude the administrative arrangements pertaining to the civil nuclear pact at an early date that will facilitate uranium trade two countries on September 6 during Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot's visit to India will allow the supply of much-needed uranium for India's nuclear plants.

Modi will undertake a three-day bilateral visit to Australia after the conclusion of the G20 summit in

tion in combating Narcotics trade, social security, tourism and culture.

"Work on the administrative arrangements is proceeding smoothly. There is good progress," Wadhwa said in reply to a question on the progress in

implementation of the India-Australian civil nuclear deal.

Modi and Abbott during their talks in Delhi had directed their respective negotiators to conclude the administrative arrangements pertaining to the civil nuclear pact at an early date that will facilitate uranium trade.

Australia has about 40 per cent of the world's uranium reserves and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of yellow cake annually.

India and Australia had commenced negotiations for the sale of uranium in early 2012.

Modi will be in Australia on the second leg of this three-nation 10-day foreign tour that will also take him to Fiji.

Modi is also expected to address Australian business leaders during his visit to Australia.

There are 450,000 people of Indian descent in that country.

Australia is keen to focus on attracting Indian investments and also to build stronger links on service sector.-PTI

Mumbai victims seek $688 mn from Pak WASHINGTON: Nine American and Israeli victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks have demanded a compensation of USD 688 million from the Pakistan-based perpetrators of the terror assault, including JuD chief Hafiz Saeed.

In a re-submission before a New York court on October 30 and 31, the nine victims of the Mumbai attacks - from the US and Israel argued for a "trial by jury" and "default judgment" against Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD)/Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT).

They also argued for a "trial by jury" and "default judgment" against JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, LeT commander Zaki-urRehman Lakhvi, Sajid Majid, Azam Cheema and two other Pakistani nationals Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali. According to their attorney, the request for "trial by jury", "default judgment" and"USD 688 million compensation" was filed before the Eastern District Court of New York after November 1, 2013, court summons were duly served to JuD/LeT and other defendants in Pakistan to which they did not respond.

The compensation has been sought by the family members of seven persons who were brutally killed by LeT terrorists and two others who were injured.

The 26/11 American and Israeli victims had first filed their case on November 19, 2010.

They had also sought action

against ISI and its chief, but the court ruled that out after the US State Department told the court that they enjoyed diplomatic immunity as they were a part of a foreign government.

According to court papers, LeT, its leaders and other defendants were served with court summons and complaints.

But they have failed to answer or otherwise defend against this action, alleged the attorney on behalf of the 26/11 victims including Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg, father of Rifka Holtzberg who was murdered alongside her husband

Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg during the attack on the Chabad House in Mumbai.

Among others include Rabbi Nachman Holtzberg, father of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Other plaintiffs are Moses Shvarzblat and Maribeth Jeswani on behalf of family members killed in the attacks.

Andreina Varagona, who survived after getting shot in her right arm and leg in the attack, sued on her own behalf.-PTI

Ro Khanna concedes defeat in Silicon Valley seat Cont’d from page 5

"You cannot buy grassroots.

You could not buy it this year, and you will not be able to buy it next year, either.

This district and our democracy is not for sale," Honda said.

Khanna thanked his staff and supporters, saying, "This long campaign has come to a close. I believe, more than ever, that our district has so much to offer in building a fair and prosperous

economic future for our nation in the 21st century. Our work is just beginning."

Khanna enjoyed significant support among Silicon Valley's high-profile political donors including Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg and Google's Eric Schmidt, and was able to narrow down Honda's more than 20-point lead at the beginning of the campaign to less than five-points, as the counting of votes was still going on.-PTI

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House of Spices India recalls product in US NEW YORK: Amid rising US regulatory glare on imported products, House of Spices (India) Inc, promoted by Indian-origin Gordhandas Soni, is recalling packages of 'Laxmi Nutkhhat Golden Raisin' food treats because they contain undeclared sulfites.

The recall was initiated earlier this week after routine sampling

by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel "revealed the presence of sulfites in 200 gms packages" of the product which were not declared on the label, as per a recall statement issued through US health regulator FDA. The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe re-

actions in some asthmatics.

Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive in-

dividuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.

Analysis of the "Laxmi Nutkhhat Golden Raisin" revealed they contained 30 grams per serving, the statement added.

The recalled products were distributed in New York & New Jersey retail stores.

The company, which is an importer, producer and distributor of food items from the Indian subcontinent, currently operates in a facility located in the Willets Point section of Queens.

Consumers who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

However, no illnesses or allergic reactions involving this product have been reported to date, the statement said.

Direct brain-to-brain connection established WASHINGTON: Scientists, led by an Indian-origin researcher, have successfully linked the brains of two people, allowing one person to control the hands of another using just their thoughts.

Researchers from the University of Washington replicated a direct brain-to-brain connection between pairs of people as part of a scientific study following the team's initial demonstration a year ago.

In the new study, which involved six people, researchers

were able to transmit the signals from one person's brain over the Internet and use these signals to control the hand motions of another person within a split second of sending that signal.

"The new study brings our brain-to-brain interfacing paradigm from an initial demonstration to something that is closer to a deliverable technology," said coauthor Andrea Stocco, a research assistant professor of psychol-

ogy.

"Now we have replicated our methods and know that they can work reliably with walk-in participants," said Stocco.

The research team led by Rajesh Rao, a UW associate professor of computer science and engineering, combined two kinds of noninvasive instruments and fine-tuned software to connect two human brains in real time.

The process is fairly straightforward. One participant is hooked to an

electroencephalography machine that reads brain activity and sends electrical pulses via the Web to the second participant, who is wearing a swim cap with a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil placed near the part of the brain that controls hand movements.

Using this setup, one person can send a command to move the hand of the other by simply thinking about that hand movement.

The study involved three pairs of participants. Each pair included a sender and a receiver with different roles and constraints.

They sat in separate buildings on campus about a half mile apart and were unable to interact with each other in any way - except for the link between their brains.

Each sender was in front of a computer game in which he or she had to defend a city by firing a cannon and intercepting rockets launched by a pirate ship.

But because the senders could not physically interact with the game, the only way they could defend the city was by thinking about moving their hand to fire the cannon.

Across campus, each receiver sat wearing headphones in a dark room - with no ability to see the computer game - with the right hand positioned over the only touch-pad that could actually fire the cannon.-PTI

Amid concerns that the USFDA is not doing 100 per cent inspections of imported food even as volumes have shot up in recent years, the American health regulator has stepped up efforts to identify problems at the earliest.

in foreign countries.

Civil engineer by profession, Soni, who immigrated in mid 1960s, was engaged in importation, production and distribution of ethnic Indian foods in the 1970's.

Amid concerns that the USFDA is not doing 100 per cent inspections of imported food even as volumes have shot up in recent years, the American health regulator has stepped up efforts to identify problems at the earliest A new food safety law signed in 2011 requires importers and countries to verify all imports meet US standards.

It also requires the FDA to do more inspections and open offices

The company grew from a single store in Queens to a business which in 2013 had annual sales revenue approaching millions of dollars, according to various documents. -PTI

Chinese couple on trial for selling India-made drugs BEIJING: A Chinese couple has been put on trial for allegedly selling low cost India-made cancer drugs, highlighting persistent calls for opening China's pharma sector to cheaper Indian drugs.

The couple in China's Nanjing city in Jiangsu Province recently stood trial for selling cancer medication bought in India, official media reported.

Zhou Rongqiang, Judge of the local court, told state-run Global Times that the couple, Zhao Hongjiang and his wife, Ma Yalin, were accused of purchasing medicines from India, transporting them to China, and selling them online.

Indian-made generic cancer drugs, often containing the same active ingredients as the patented medicines they are based on, sell at enormous discount compared with their patented counterparts, the report said.

The vast majority of these drugs are not approved for sale in China.

"Selling medicines produced overseas requires a certification

by China's drug watchdog. If not, the drugs are seen as fake," Zhou said.

In the court, Zhao said that he was trying to save people's lives, and that most of the drugs were brought for his friends instead for

sale, local daily Modern Express reported.

The case highlights India's persistent calls for China to open up its markets for Indian pharma products which have been widely approved for use in various countries to make them available for its citizens as well as to address the trade imbalance between the two countries.

China says there are barriers

but Indian pharmaceutical firms complain of lengthy procedures requiring years of testing for the drugs which have been approved in various markets abroad.

Medicines in China mostly controlled by multinational markets are highly expensive making it extremely difficult for vast majority of Chinese to afford them.

As a result number of Chinese traders are smuggling the Indian drugs into Chinese markets.

India says the opening of pharma sector to it will also address the trade imbalance which is averaging over USD 35 billion every year.-PTI

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Tax on NRI remittances a grave injustice: Bhattal CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress has said the decision to charge service tax on foreign remittances fee was a "grave injustice" to NRIs and questioned Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's "silence" over it.

"The NDA government led by Modi this year started charging a service tax of 12.36 per cent on foreign remittances fee which is a grave injustice to NRIs," former Punjab chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said here.

Bhattal said in Union Budget 2012 there was a proposal to tax the NRI remittances fee and Badal had opposed the idea by writing to the then Prime Minister.

Later in July 2012, UPA government issued a clarification that there will be no service tax on NRI remittances fee, she said.

However, the Modi government through a circular dated October 14, 2014, cancelled the old circular and service tax on foreign remittances is now charged at 12.36 per cent, she claimed.

Bhattal questioned Badal's "silence" on the issue.

"NDA is forcing Badal to keep quiet and tolerate the injustice to NRI families and the NRIs," she said.

Bhattal warned the central government that the decision will negatively impact the

NRI plans to remit money to India as the additional transaction cost will drive them towards illegal money channels like hawala or to invest in countries other than India.

A majority of Punjabis send money from abroad to their families, she said, adding they send remittances on regular intervals to sustain the families back home.

"Now after the burden of this levy, an additional cost has to be borne by these persons every time," she said. -PTI

Rajinder Kaur Bhattal

India, Israel LR SAM missile successfully tested JERUSALEM: India and Israel successfully test fired a long range surface to air missile jointly developed by them, marking a milestone in bilateral cooperation in developing advanced weapon systems.

"The Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) is successfully flight tested against a flying target in a range in Israel," an official statement said.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) carried out the test in the presence of Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) scientists and officials of the Indian Army.

The LRSAM system is jointly developed by DRDO and IAI Israel.

"All the systems including the radar,

communication launch systems and the missile system have performed as expected and hit the target directly and damaged it.

The system is developed for both Israel Defense Forces and Indian Armed Forces," the statement said.

DRDO chief and Scientific Advisor to Defense Minister Dr Avinash Chander witnessed the test along with IAI President Joseph Weiss and other top officials of the Israel Defense Forces.

Chander termed the event as a milestone in cooperation between the two countries in developing advanced weapon systems.

-PTI

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Indian named on UN probe panel on Gaza UNITED NATIONS: An eminent Indian official has been named on a UN inquiry panel set up by the world body's chief Ban Ki-moon to probe the presence of arms in UN premises in the Gaza strip and the damage to its facilities during the conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions.

K C Reddy, a former UN security advisor for Syria, has been named to the internal and independent United Nations Headquarters Board of Inquiry that will be chaired by Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands.

The formation of the inquiry board by the UN Secretary-General is aimed at reviewing "certain incidents that occurred in the Gaza Strip between July 8 and August 26," Ban's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters here.

The board would include Maria Vicien-Milburn of Argentina, Lee O'Brien of the United States and Pierre Lemelin of Canada.

The board would review and investigate a number of specific incidents in which death or injuries occurred at and damage was done to United Nations premises.

The board would also review and investigate incidents in which

weapons were found to be present on UN premises.

"The Secretary-General expects that the Board will enjoy the full cooperation of all parties concerned," Haq said.

During his visit last month to the war-ravaged enclave, Ban had called for a thorough investiga-

K C Reddy, a former UN security advisor for Syria, has been named to the internal and independent United Nations Headquarters Board of Inquiry that will be chaired by Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands tion into incidents where UN facilities - including schools run by the UN agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) - sustained hits resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent civilians and UN staff members.

The fighting - which raged from

July 8 to August 26 - saw entire neighborhoods in the Gaza strip flattened, and almost one-third of the area's population uprooted.

The violence killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, including more than 500 children, and more than 70 Israelis while also damaging or destroying over 100,000 homes.

In Gaza last month, Ban voiced horror at the extent of the destruction, stating that "nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed."

In July, Ban had expressed outrage over rockets being found in a UN-administered school in Gaza and had called for a full review of the incident.

Rockets found in the UNRWA school subsequently went missing.

Ban had demanded that militants groups, who were responsible, must stop such actions and should be held accountable for endangering the lives of civilians.

The UN Chief had said that by placing weapons in schools, "those responsible are turning schools into potential military targets, and endangering the lives of innocent children, UN employees working in such facilities and anyone using the UN schools as shelter." -PTI

Jaitley defends Cabinet expansion, slams Cong claims NEW DELHI: The ruling NDA government strongly defended the Cabinet expansion undertaken in the wake of "taint" charges raised against some of the inductees by Congress, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Jaitley said that "the entire charge of Congress is baseless".

He also added that unlike UPA, the NDA Prime Minister has the "last word" in selecting his ministers and expanding his Cabinet.

Dismissing allegations against

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

had chosen his team after "checking the credentials and the facts related to each one of them".

Reacting sharply to Congress's attack on Modi over the Cabinet expansion, Finance Minister Arun

his ministerial colleagues, including Ram Shankar Katheria, Jaitley said he is a senior leader from Uttar Pradesh and claimed that "every BJP worker in the state has a criminal case filed by the Akhilesh

Yadav government".

He also rejected Congress allegations against the TDP face in the government, YS Chowdary, and BJP's newly-inducted minister, Giriraj Singh.

"The examples given by them are completely baseless...These are cases arising out of political agitations. Not cases out of some crime or moral turpitude," Jaitley said.

"They said TDP representative Chowdary has Non-Performing Assets of his company. One of his many companies - he is a wellknown industrialist - was making losses. One account was in difficulty. The bank restructured it; he is paying back all the installments (and) has a regular account today," said Jaitley.

He asked Congress to "confine itself to quality of poor governance that they gave and compare it with the quality of governance the NDA government is giving rather than resorting to these baseless allegations".-PTI

PM asks ministers to cut tours during Par session NEW DELHI: Ahead of of the Council of Ministers, the Parliament's winter session, Prime Prime Minister chaired a 20-minute Minister Narendra Modi asked his long meeting of the Union CabiCouncil of Ministers to cut down net, official sources said. on unnecessary tours to ensure Modi asked the ministers to their maximum presence during direct the concerned departments the month-long affair. to work effectively and ready the He also asked the ministers to bills by the time the session bebe ready with bills pending in both gins. He also directed the minisHouses of Parliament along with ters to pay attention towards the new legislative proposals. completion of old pending bills.

Chairing a meeting of the Union The Prime Minister told the Council of Ministers a day after a ministers that they should avoid rejig of the Cabinet, the Prime Min- unnecessary tours and be present ister also gave a pep talk to the newly-appointed ministers on how to go about their job.

He also discussed with his colleagues the strategy to ensure that the session beginning Prime Minister Narendra Modi from November 24 and ending on December 23 remains a during the session. The instruc"smooth affair" for the govern- tion came a day before he leaves ment during which it plans to pass for a 10-day visit to Myanmar, most of the old pending bills as Australia and Fiji. well as some key new bills.

External Affairs Minister He advised the ministers to Sushma Swaraj and Minister of come prepared with proper an- State for Home Kiran Rijiju could swers for questions which are not attend the meetings as they posed during Question Hour. were on tour.

Known as a workaholic, Modi Union minister Anant Geete, is learnt to have said that minis- from the estranged ally Shiv Sena, ters do not have offs and they was present, the sources said. should be prepared to work even The month-long session will on public holidays. have a total of 22 sittings in which Modi's focus on ensuring that Parliament functions without any External Affairs Minister hitch comes in the back- Sushma Swaraj and Minister drop of the budget session that saw several of State for Home Kiran disruptions.

Rijiju could not attend the The Prime Minister also chose the occasion meetings as they were to remind the Ministers on tour of State that they should prove to be "assets" to their ministries. He said four days have been earmarked the Ministers of State should be for Private Members' business. given due responsibilities and the A total of 67 bills - 59 in Rajya Cabinet ministers should ensure Sabha and eight in Lok Sabha that they meet their junior col- are pending and the government leagues in the Council of Minis- will push for passage of "at least ters regularly.

30 to 35" legislations, a senior After a two-hour long meeting minister said.-PTI

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Parrikar promises transparent but fast decisions NEW DELHI: A day after taking charge of the Defense Ministry, Manohar Parrikar met all three service chiefs of armed forces.

"All defense procurement process will be transparent but fast, that is my specialty," Parrikar said.

Side-stepping a question about whether his training as a metallurgist in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, equipped him for handling defense production, Parrikar responded, "I feel, as much as possible, we should manufacture here in India. Any country with a good manufacturing base‌ can come up economically by generating a lot of employment."

Flagging the shortage of technological skills in the country, Parrikar said he would make use of the new ministry of skills development, which Rajiv Pratap Rudy heads after being sworn in as minister with independent charge.

Terming "very unfortunate"

Manohar Parrikar interacting with the media after taking charge as new Defense Minister, in New Delhi on Nov. 10

that equipment requirements of the armed forces have not been adequately met so far, Parrikar ex-

Won't restrict MNREGA to select districts: Singh NEW DELHI: The NDA government is unlikely to restrict rural job scheme MNREGA in the country's selected poor districts.

Clarifying his positions on MNREGA, Chaudhary Birender Singh who took over as Minister for Rural development,

plan to restrict the rural job scheme to most backward 200 district of the country.

"Rs 40,000 crore component is for the country and not for any specific region," Singh said.

He, however, acknowledged that there were some problems in

Chaudhary Birender Singh addressing the media after taking charge as the Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, in New Delhi on November 11

Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation said that Rs 40,000 crore allocation for the rural job scheme was not for any specific region.

"In this country, there are people who had never seen a Rs 500 note. The poorest of the poor...we have been able to reach them through MNREGA," he told reporters.

He was reacting to a question on his predecessor Nitin Gadkari's

implementation of the ambitious scheme, launched by the UPA government and the present dispensation will "correct" them.

"So far, the working of MNREGA is concerned, if there are lacunae, we will correct them," Singh said. During his stint as Rural Development minister, Gadkari had indicated that it may restrict the rural job scheme MNREGA only to tribal and backward districts of the country. -PTI

pressed confidence he could combine transparency with expeditious procurement.

Article 370 part of BJP's agenda: Jitendra Singh JAMMU: Asserting that BJP's stand on Article 370 is "very clear", Union Minister Jitendra Singh said here all issues which have been part of the party's manifesto, including the provision, will be on its agenda.

"All issues (including Article 370) which have been part of the BJP manifesto all these years will be part of the agenda. They will continue to be so," the Minister of State, PMO, told reporters while inaugurating BJP Media Centre here for its "Mission 44+".

Singh was replying to a question if BJP has dumped the issue of Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, during the upcoming Assembly elections.

"The ideological issue (Article 370), toward which you point to, BJP's stand is very clear on it and it is known to you," he said.

"But in each election at each given time, you have to priorities and you have to go by the aspiration of the people.

The aspiration of the people as of now, in 2014, in November and December, when we go to polls, is to liberate this state and people from years and years of mis-governance, corruption and misappropriation of Central funds," Singh said. To a question on some sitting BJP MLAS resigning from party to fight against it, he said, "I do not want to indulge into a debate over it. There is inner party democracy in BJP.-PTI

"Whatever (acquisition) is there will be very transparent, but (will be a) fast process. I think that

is one of my specialties but let me understand (the process) first."

Insisting he needed some time to get to grips with his new job, the defense minister indicated he was worried by the spate of accidents on naval warships, the most recent being the sinking of a vessel off Visakhapatnam (Vizag) due to flooding.

Parrikar is the first IIT graduate to be the chief minister of a state, and now the defense minister. He passed out in the same batch as Nandan Nilekani, former Unique Identification Authority of India chairman. He is a long-time Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh member, and was a sanghchalak (local director). He was active in the Ram Janambhoomi agitation.

Talking about the sinking of a torpedo recovery vessel off the Visakhapatnam coast Parrikar said, "I am "equally worried" about the sinking of the torpedo recovery vessel off the coast of Vishakapatnam."-Agencies

Safety, customer satisfaction my priority: Prabhu NEW DELHI: Suresh Prabhu took over as the new Railway Minister and said rail safety and customer service would be his priorities, as he seeks to unleash the true potential of the transport behemoth.

"We have faced lots of challenges in running the railways in

ways) has to change... Our two focus areas will be customer service and railway safety as passenger safety is increasingly becoming an area of concern," he said.

Observing that the people have reposed lot of faith in the government, he said the steps

Suresh Prabhu taking charge as the Union Minister for Railways, in New Delhi on November 10

the past. We do have potential which has not been properly utilized," he told reporters after assuming charge.

Prabhu took oath as a Cabinet minister shortly after he joined BJP from Shiv Sena, replacing SD Sadananda Gowda who was shifted to the Law ministry in the reshuffle.

"The Prime Minister has decided that the condition (of rail-

they undertake in railways will be seen in due course of time.

"What we will do will be seen in due course of time, so no announcement will be made is the announcement," he said.

Prabhu said the economy is also dependent on railways. Railways are an integrating factor for the economy and, "if we work in this direction we can propel economic growth," he said.-PTI

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More expectations from govt after reshuffle: Hinduja LONDON: With the expansion positive direction. of the Narendra Modi Cabinet, "Now that the Cabinet is comNRI industrialist G P Hinduja has plete the expectation will only be voiced hope that it would give higher from team Modi, particufurther impetus to radical changes larly ministers holding key portthe Prime Minister was bringing folios impacting on India's about in the economy. The I n d i a n Ministers economy and concerned other areas. must now "The exwork hard to pansion and deliver and reshuffle of fulfill the exportfolios repectations as flect the Prime well as carry Minister's deout the task termination to assigned to get India gothem by the ing once PM. again.

"It will help He dethe foreign inG P Hinduja served to be vestors if congratulated some system for his choice of ministers as well or discipline is in place so that seas portfolios," the Co-Chairman of rious investors get a response the multi-billion Hinduja Group when they voice their concerns," said in a statement here. he said.

G P Hinduja, along with S P He said that the Prime Hinduja, Chairman of the Group Minister's Office under Modi had said that the people of India and set the example of efficiency and global investors had very high quick response to suggestions. expectations from Modi's leader"We hope that other ministers ship and every step he had taken also emulate this example so that since assuming office, was in the things move faster," he said.-PTI

I&B Ministry to look at changed scenario: Jaitley

Nothing significant in Lone meeting PM: Jaitley

NEW DELHI: Returning to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry after a long gap, Arun Jaitley said here the media domain has expanded immensely and the ministry has to look at the changed information process scenario.

Jaitley, who was I&B Minister under A B Vajpayee in 1999, has taken charge of the ministry from Prakash Javadekar.

Referring to his previous stint, Jaitley said the domain of the media has now expanded immensely.

"I have been in this ministry before, there was more print media than electronic media. Today, there has been a lot of growth of radio and digital medium.

"There was a time, when the major work of this ministry was Doordarshan and All India Radio.

It is still a major area, but this changed information process scenario, this ministry has to look at that," he said. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who joined as Minister of State in the ministry, said there was perceived to be a communication gap between the government and the media, and only "one way communication" was taking place.-PTI

NEW DELHI: Indian govern- nents in a democracy also. I find ment has sought to downplay the no meaning in this," Jaitley said. meeting that former Kashmiri There is speculation that Lone separatist leader and People's might align with BJP after the AsConference leader Sajjad Lone had sembly elections in Jammu and with Prime Minister Narendra Kashmir starting November 25.

Modi here, saying no meaning Lone maintained after the meetshould be read into it. ing that he had apprised the Prime "No meaning should be read Minister as a Kashmiri about the into Sajjad Lone's meeting with the difficulties being faced by the Prime Minister," said Arun Jaitley, Minister for Finance and Infor- There is speculation that mation and BroadcastLone might align with BJP ing.

To buttress his point, he told reporters that after the Assembly elections leaders of every politi- in Jammu and Kashmir cal group in Kashmir have held meetings with starting November 25 the Centre.

Lone met the Prime Minister earlier in the day during people of the Valley due to the which the two are believed to September floods. have discussed the possibility of Lone, who is reportedly had his working with BJP after the many meetings with top BJP leadupcoming Assembly elections in ers, has decided to revive People's Jammu and Kashmir.

Conference founded by his father "Did the Chief Minister there Abul Gani Lone, who was killed by or the PDP leaders never meet the Pakistan-based militants, and his Prime Minister? One has to meet party is contesting from 12 seats up with leaders of political oppo- in Kupwara and Handwara.-PTI

Horoscope

14 India Post

November 14, 2014

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

November 14th - November 20th, 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

Y

our actions will make spouse very nervous.

Risky move will prove to be a blessing as the results will be lot better than expectations.

Children will do a lot better this week. You may be in touch with an old friend and discuss launching a business in partnership. There will be many distractions but you will continue your prayers.

(April 21 to May 20)

C

oncentration of many planets in seventh will help in many ways. Positive developments in career will provide the much necessary boost to self confidence and you will vigorously keep working on your great plans. You will have a big opportunity to spend some quality time with a successful politician.

(May 21 to June 20)

L

egal matters will suddenly take a favorable turn and decision will come quick.

Few needy people will benefit from your valuable advise.

You will make big change in food habits and try to maintain a disciplined life. Idea of changing career will continue to occupy your mind and you may start making inquiries in that direction.

(June 21 to July 22)

A

lignment of planets can make dream com true. Opportunity should not be less than a financial jackpot. Do not hesitate to play few lottery tickets for next few weeks. Positive changes in career are imminent and you should start to see the signs now. You may be successful in disposing off some money making stocks or property this week.

(July 23 to August 22)

(November 23 to December 22)

Y

ou will spend more time on phone reaching out people. Things will get more relaxing at work and you will finish an important project well before the deadline. A nice promotion or some bonus is also in the air. You may have some work done in or around your home. Spouse will be very helpful and support your plans without any reservations.

(August 23 to September 22)

B

old actions will take you very close to your goals.

Clearance from a government agency will road blocks in career and you may start applying for better opportunity. It will be profitable week for brokers. You may also hear from an old friend after a long interval. Some of you may slowly start getting ready for an upcoming long distance journey.

(September 23 to October 22)

M

oney wise looks like a very favorable week.

You may receive a big refund from a government agency. Any move in career this week will prove fortunate. You will be just lucky in all other matters too and get many obstacles out of your way using little diplomacy. You may be seriously thinking of investing in a nice piece of land this week.

(October 23 to November 22)

T

alk it out with other family members and reduce the unnecessary stress. A fatherly figure will be helpful and give good advise. You will continue to make good progress in career and receive appreciation and encouraging words from boss. Try to cut down on hot and spicy food if possible. People self employed will make new clients.

PANDIT PARASHAR, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations.

He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

Y

ou will be in touch with people overseas and see some improvement in projects under way. Expenses will exceed your budget as you may end up being liberal when it comes to buying things for others. Just do not ignore the legal papers sitting on your desk and be careful when replying. You will be invited to a big event. Some of you will be applying closer to home.

(December 22 to January 19)

A

ny business trip taken this week will show instant results and a big contract will be in your pocket.

You will continue to receive support and advise from some one with gray hair. You may put some money away in savings. Spouse may ask you to have some changes done in the house or kitchen area. Mind will stay relaxed.

(January 20 to February 18)

C

hildren will be a source of happiness as they will give you the long awaited news. Bank balance will continue to grow at a slow speed.

You may also ignore an offer that require you to relocate. You may also have your eyes set on a nice property and may seriously think to invest. Spouse may be taking a trip in near future. You may spend more time at work this week.

(February 19 to March 20)

P

ositive developments in life will increase your faith in prayers. You may have some visitors overseas in near future. Extra time spent at work would be worth it and will bring in much needed cash. Confidence level will be at it's peak and your image will improve in social as well as professional circle this week.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

November 14, 2014

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Desi News Gala New Year celebration by Gujarati Samaj ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Gujarati Samaj of St Louis hosted a grand Diwali Gala Dinner highlighted with a live musical concert on Saturday on November 1 at St. Ann Community Center The event coordinated by Executive Committee of the Samaj started at 6 pm and lasted till midnight. It was greatly enjoyed by more than 500 members and guests who greeted each other 'Happy Diwali' and 'Saal Mubarak'. The delicious Gujarati dinner was a capping feature.

Samaj President Sanjay Patel listed the activities undertaken during his leadership. Thanking his Committee, volunteers, members and everybody for the generous support that he had, he pitched for the younger generation of members to come forward and give their time for the Samaj to carry on the good work for the benefit of the community.

Details on page 18

Etihad celebrates 5th anniversary of Chicago service A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Chicago Aviation history recorded on September 2, 2009, the launch of Etihad Airway's non-stop flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi that connected travelers to its worldwide destinations. Since then, the service has gradually developed as the favorite choice of travelers to India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and many other destinations.

Etihad Airways' Chicago team hosted a celebration dinner for the 5th Anniversary of the successful operation of this Chicago service at Sofitel Hotel in downtown last week.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

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Details on page 22

Gandhi Legacy celebration underlines relevance of non-violence & satyagraha RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The celebration of Gandhi Legacy, a program jointly organized by the Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, in conjunction with Loyola University Chicago last week at Loyola University ChicagoCorboy Law Center in Downtown Chicago was a huge success, judging by the impact it created on the morale of the community thru reiterating the values for which Gandhiji lived and died.

Though not in the foreground, the genius and touch of community stalwart and activist Niranjan Shah was in evidence. Shah was unanimously elected as Trustee last summer by the University Trustee Board.

The near two hours program, as succinctly put by Smita Shah, chair of the Delhi Committee of the Sister Cities International, was to promote an exchange of ideas as exemplified by Gandhiji's work that was influenced greatly by Henry David Thoreau (especially his essay on civil disobedience) and which in its turn influenced, yet another American Hero Martin Luther King, in his crusade for social quality and justice.

The program sought one more time to underline the relevance and importance of Gandhian philosophy of Ahimsa (non violence) and Satyagraha (insistence for Truth) in solving major problems facing the violence plagued world today.

Community activist and University Trustee Niranjan Shah presenting a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi to Mayor Rham Emanuel. Looking on is Father Costello

The Mayor too with his emotions flowing decided to carry the picture himself rather than by aides. The picture, incidentally was developed from the original negative done

by Mary Burke, a famous photographer Its importance got further highlighted with the presence of Chicago Mayor Rham Emanuel and a cross section of Indian American community leaders and Chicago elites.

The culmination of the event could not have been better tuned

than with the presentation of a Mahatma Gandhi photograph (a morning walk with Ashramites) by Niranjan Shah to Mayor Rham Emanuel after a few select clips from Gandhi movie that overwhelmed everybody present with emotions.

Details on page 21

CORRIGENDUM

I

n our coverage of Wedding Expo held at Waterford Banquet on November 2, we erroneously mentioned name of one of the organizers as Prajnesh Gandhi. His correct name is Pritesh Gandhi.

Also, in the same report, we mentioned Happy Farm but it should be read Maharaja Farm.

The errors are regretted.

-Editor

Georgia varsity urged to declare Diwali holiday

Mayor Rham addressing the gathering

Smita Shah introducing Indian CG Dr Ausuf Sayeed

The background music - a soft low key playing of popular Gandhi bhajan Raghupati Raghav - added a special touch and flavor that made many feel the invisible presence of this great world leader whom Albert Einstein said it was difficult to believe "a man as this one in flesh and blood ever walked on this world."

The Mayor too with his emotions flowing decided to carry the picture himself rather than by aides. The picture, incidentally was developed from the original negative done by Mary Burke, a famous photographer who interviewed Gandhi, many times.

Smita Shah, the chair of the Delhi Chicago Sister Citiy Program, said that it has always been an effort to promote social, cultural and economic exchange.

The value of the exchange of ideas is exemplified by Gandhiji's work, which was greatly influenced by Henry David Thoreau, particularly his essay on civil disobedience.

Gandhiji in turn inspired Martin Luther King, champion of civil liberty in his country.

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November 14, 2014

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Tulsi Gabbard thanks Chicago supporters SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has offered her thanks to Hina Trivedi, a former president of Federation of Indian Associations, and other Chicagoland supporters - Dr Bharat Barai, Vinesh Virani, Nirav Patel, Bawiwnder Singh - for their support for getting her re-elected from Hawaii.

In a communication she has expressed her gratitude and has offered to work hard to achieve her agenda. Her statement says, "With your help and support, the people of Hawai have re-elected me to serve as their representative in Congress. I'm honored to have earned their trust and confidence, once again. The last two years have been busy, and very rewarding, as I saw what can be accomplished when we bring people together, around our common purpose - do-

There are many great challenges that we face; thank you for standing with me as we take on these challenges. I want you to know that my door is always open, and I look forward to continue working with you

Tulsi Gabbard

Grand Diwali celebration by Gujarat Association Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Gujarat Cultural Association hosted a grand Diwali celebration on Saturday, November 1 at Waterford Banquets highlighted with a 'live' musical concert attracting members, guests and community stalwarts.

The event was graced by dignitaries present from all walks of life and leaders.

Niranjan Shah, a doyen of Indian community members was the Guest of Honor while

ing contributions to your adopted homeland".

The evening started with a social hour featuring a variety of delicious appetizers and soft drinks. The welcome speech was

by Meena Purohit, one of the most popular Indian TV anchors. She conveyed Diwali and New Year greetings to everyone and invoked the blessings of Goddess Laxmi on this occasion...

She invited all dignitaries, Gujarati Samaj executive board members and guests for

GCA guests, invitees and members at Diwali celebration

Ashok Punjabi was the Chief Guest. Indian CG Dr Ausuf Sayeed could not make it but in a message read out by Iftekhar Shareef, he observed that, "India is a strong country with its strength rooted firmly in its multiplicity. I hope that you will continue to maintain your close links with your homeland while carrying on with your outstand-

lamp lighting, including Niranjan Shah, Dr Bharat Barai, Mafat Patel (often described as Uncrowned King of Devon), Iftekhar Shareef (FIA Trusee Chair) Babu Patel, Keerthi Ravoori and Chief Guest Ashok Punjabi.

Cont’d on page 20

ing our very best to be of service to others.

In a short recorded message, she says, "Thank you for your steadfast commitment - you helped make it possible for me to con-

tinue working to serve the people of our nation. The responsibility of serving you in Congress weighs very heavily upon my heart. There are many great challenges that we face; thank you for standing with me as we take on these challenges. I want you to know that my door is always open, and I look forward to continue working with you in the months and years ahead. I remain grateful for all that you do, and for allowing me the opportunity to continue this service."

18 India Post

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Gala New Year celebration by Gujarati Samaj ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Gujarati Samaj of St Louis hosted a grand Diwali Gala Dinner highlighted with a live musical concert on Saturday on November 1 at St. Ann Community Center The event coordinated by Executive Committee of the Samaj started at 6 pm and lasted till midnight. It was greatly enjoyed by more than 500 members and guests

who greeted each other 'Happy Diwali' and 'Saal Mubarak'. The delicious Gujarati dinner was a capping feature.

Samaj President Sanjay Patel listed the activities undertaken during his leadership. Thanking his Committee, volunteers, members and everybody for the generous support that he had, he pitched for the younger genera-

Gujarati Samaj Committee members. Pic courtesy Mike Oransky

tion of members to come forward and give their time for the Samaj to carry on the good work for the

future. Fundraising activity started with some donation announcement. Gujarati community is looking forward for community center for Samaj use specially for Navratri & Diwali celebration.

The event concluded with delicious authentic Gujarati dishes. This was followed by a live musical performance by Panorama Musical A section of members and guests attending the event Orchestra from India. Extraordibenefit of the community. "It is nary vocal and instrumental talents important that we here in our of this musical group captured and adopted country preserve and thoroughly entertained the audipromote our Gujarati heritage and culture for upcoming generations," he said.

This year Gujarati Samaj will take part with Hindu Temple of St. Louis to build a community A section of members and guests center next to the temple for community needs. Dr Sharad ence for over three hours with Parikh gave details about the com- golden oldies and new Hindi movie munity center. Samaj will be hold- songs. The event was a grand sucing a fundraising event in the near cess.

The music group entertaining the Samaj members

November 14, 2014

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Gandhi Legacy celebration underlines relevance of non-violence & satyagraha critical to creating teachers that strengthen our schools. Programs "Some people do not realize like these create opportunities for that Martin Luther King went to the children of our city."

India, and his feeling for Mahatma Smita Shah also introduced InGandhi was so great, that he says, dian Consul General Dr Ausuf "To other countries, I go as a tour- Sayeed and lauded his efforts in ist, but to India, I come as a pil- projecting India in its true colors. grim".

The Indian CG congratulated Echoing the same sentiment, Smita Shah and the Delhi CommitMayor Rham Emmanuel said "I too tee Sister City Program "for doing went to India with a special feel- creditable work as an independent ings of a pilgrim. Smita Shah, who and non-profit body by bringing welcomed and introduced the the two cities, closer economically, Mayor, said that the Mayor rec- culturally and socially." ognizes that the values of safety, Talking about Bapu (the way economic equality, and education Indians called and recognized are important to the Indian com- Mahatma) and his philosophy, Dr munity, but are universal to all Ausuf was very effervescent communities. quipping "What is Gandhism? ," Gandhiji knew that education and then chose to explain in his was required to free his people. own words "Gandhism as far as I The Mayor has echoed that believe, is to fight against the through his commitment to edu- negative forces with a blunt cation, by striving to make sure weapon of peace, perseverance each and every child of Chicago and non-violence. Years may have passed since the Mahatma walked the face of the earth, but his treasured ideals and principles still hold forth. " "Mahatma bequeathed to us three guiding principles: Ahimsa (or nonviolence), Satyagraha (or Smita Shah and Mayor Rham Emanuel the force born of truth and nonreceives an education. By violence) and Sarvodaya (or strengthening the communities upliftment of all). It is the values and neighborhoods, the city of of these principles that we have Chicago has become a strong glo- to rediscover if we want to deal bal city, she observed effectively with today's chalResponding Mayor Rham in his lenges. I am glad to say that an brief remark said that "I recognize increasing number of young Martin Luther King's sentiment people in India and elsewhere are that you go to other places as a today turning to him (Mahatma tourist, but to India as a pilgrim. I Gandhi) to seek solutions to conwent there with my family in a pri- temporary concerns through indivate trip, and the experience was vidual and collective action." amazing for me, my wife, and my Concluding he said the colchildren." laboration between the Sister CitHe also chose to observe that ies Program and World Business "Devon Avenue is my favorite Chicago is only going to further place in the city, because it is the boost economic development, art, only place that starts with Ma- culture, sports between US and hatma Gandhi on one end, and Indian communities. ends with Golda Meir in the other.

Father John F Costello, Vice It is the heart of this city." Inci- President and Special Assistant to dentally, a stretch of Devon Av- the President, Loyola University enue houses over 250 small and Chicago, in his brief address said big commercial establishments that Bapu Gandhi had given an owned by Desis and is often de- awesome gift to the world in the scribed as mini India Town. form of new light illuminating the The Mayor also lauded the In- spirit of hope and freedom. The dian American community as well festival Indian season (Diwali) folas Loyola University for its huge lows the birth anniversary of emphasis on quality education. He Bapu (October 2) whose radiant said ""Loyola University has an love mirrored that of our Creator.

IB teaching program, and that is He ended his address with beautiCont’d from page 16

ful remarks "Thank you Bapu and India for your incredible gift and the fragrances of freedom within which its powerful allure sweetens all of us," Among the dignitaries present were Will Burn, Member of City Council, Kim Fox, Deputy States Attorney, Paula Allen Mears, Chancellor UIC, Brian McPartlin, former Director of Advance for President Clinton, Matt Crawl, Partner in Law firm, several senior officers from BNY Mellon, Morgan Stanley, Denise Jorgan Program from University of Chicago.

The consensus at the meet was that the work done by Mahatma Gandhi is universally known but by talking about Gandhiji, the impact that is made leads to raising of our profile and that of India here and everywhere.

Gandhiji asking Britishers to quit India in 1942

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Dr Austin is president of past governors assn SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Dr Austin Prabhu, twice Past District Governor from Mother District of Lionism, District 1A has been elected unanimously as the President of the Past District Governors of Multiple District 1, Illinois at its Annual Banquet and Election of Of-

Lions of Illinois Foundation, $1,000 to Lions Clubs International Foundation and $1,000 to 2017 Lions Centennial Convention Host Committee.

Currently Dr Austin is editing and publishing Multiple District 1 State of Illinois e-Magazine, Dis-

Other officers elected were Past District Governor Thomas Senger Vice President and Past Council Chairperson Terry Knollerberg as the Secretary/Treasurer of the MD1 PDG Association Dr Austin is the Chairperson for District Governors' Elect

Thomas Senger Vice President, Terry Knollenberg Secretary/Treasurer, Dr Austin Prabhu President

ficer held in Bloomington last week.

There were more than 100 Past District Governors and two Past International Directors who took part in this election which was held at Parke Regency Hotel and Banquets in Bloomington. Dr Austin made a motion to donate $1,000 to

trict 1A Governor's Newsletter and also District 1A Cabinet Newsletter. Ever since he took over to edit and publish MD1 eMagazine, it has become more popular among all Lions, Lionesses and Leos in Illinois Dr Austin's wife Terry is the District Governor of District 1A.

School at this Centennial Convention from Host Committee which will be held in Chicago in July 2017 in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center. This Host Committee was established three years ago to make Lions Century Celebrations a memorable one.

Veteran actor S Ve Shekher honored PM SWAMY

SAN FRANCISCO: Noted Tamil film and stage actor S Ve Shekher was honored in Bay Area for his service to films and stage

by Prof. George L Hart, distinguished professor of Tamil at the University of California, Berkeley.

He was presented the title "Nataka Ulaga Nayagan" (King of Drama).

The event was organized by Geekay, a Cupertino-based theater group and Maniram.

Professor Hart, a world renowned Indologist, was responsible for inaugurating the Tamil department at Berkeley. He has studied Latin and Greek as well as several modern European and Indian languages. Hart is best known for his translations of sev-

Tamil artist S Ve Shekhar being honored

eral Tamil epics into English and for asserting that Tamil should be classified as a classical language. In 2004 the Indian Cabinet recognized Tamil as a classical language.

Playwright, television, film and theatre artiste playing lead roles, Shekher is a household name with Tamil connoisseurs, popularly known for his punch, quick wit and humor since 1974.

Encouraged by the success of a Singapore drama tour in that year, he founded his own drama troupe Nataka Priya which has so far produced 24 stage plays and performed more than 5900 shows.

Cont’d on page 21

Grand Diwali celebration

by Gujarat Association job as many wanted to start their own business.

Awards were given to Nilesh The Chief Guest conveyed Diwali greetings and thanked the Topiwala, Dr Nita Patel and Mitesh GCA Board for inviting him to Patel in recognition of their contributions to the society at large. their graceful event, Kalapadma Dance Academy presented three dance items - Diya dance with lamp, Ganesh Stuti and Raas from Ram Lila movie.

Singers who entertained the audience with sensational Bollywood songs were: Nalini Parikh, Sunil Patel, Eshaan Ahmed, Shohail (Aqeel Bhatti), Jitubhai Jothi and Jitu Bulsara. They FIA Trustee chair Iftekhar Shareef are all well known singers from Chicago area.

Niranjan Shah, recalled his Jitubhai Jothi is a versatile singer. early years in seventies when he He sang songs of Mukesh like yeh saw Jimmy Carter getting at the raat bheegi bheegi, hamein tum se helm of affairs and "now it is Barack pyar kitna, yaad na jaye beete dino Obama and both are friends of In- ke. dia." Gujaratis are extremely hard working people and work for the good of the community without seeking rewards in terms of elective positions. Besides Gujaratis like Babu Patel, Kanti Patel and Hetal Patel, there are people who headed FIA and mentioned the names of Iftekhar Shareef, Keerthi Kumar Ravoori among others.

They work tirelessly for the community. She invited a big hand for all of them.

Dr Bharat Barai, a front ranking Gujarati oncologist from Indiana, Meena Purohit emceeing the event conveyed Diwali 2071 and Happy New Year 2071 to everyone. He told a story about a Gujarati director of Kansas Medical Board who wanted to do MBA. He called UIC for his admissions. A few weeks later, a call came from UIC inquiring whey he wanted to pursue MBA when he was a qualified physician. The caller added Guest of Honor Niranjan Shah and Ms Pratima jokingly that for a Shah Gujarati, MBA is not necessary since business is in his genes.

Barai also told a story of Narendra Modi, when as CM he invited Nano Motors headed by Tatas to come to Gujarat. He expected that the move will create lot of jobs for Gujaratis in the State but after sometime, Executive Director of Nano told Narenbhai that the Gujaratis who Dr Bharat Barai and Dr Panna Barai came to work quit their Cont’d from page 17

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Etihad celebrates 5th anniversary of Chicago service

All agents group

A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Chicago Aviation history recorded on September 2, 2009, the launch of Etihad Airway's non-stop flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi that connected travelers to its worldwide destinations. Since then, the service has gradually developed as the favorite choice of travelers to India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and many other destinations.

Etihad Airways' Chicago team hosted a celebration dinner for the 5th Anniversary of the successful operation of this Chicago service at Sofitel Hotel in downtown last week. A large number of guests from within the travel industry, City of Chicago, Chicago Aviation, and other fields attended the event.

Cont’d on page 22

Veteran actor S Ve Shekher honored Cont’d from page 20

He has toured US, Canada, Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand to stage plays.

In the US he created history in staging full length dramas with his own troupe - 28 shows in 32 days apart from performing his mega hit plays with the local talents at Washington, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Seattle and Philadelphia.

Shekher made his debut with K Balachander's 1980 film Varumayin Niram Sigapu and since then has acted in nearly 90 films.

He was also the Regional Chair-person of Central Board of Film Censors.

Shekher popularized eye donation, blood donation and diabetes prevention through his innumerable stage plays. Shekher was awarded Tamil Nadu Government's prestigious Kalaivanar Award in 1991 and Kalaimamani in 1993. American Tamil University conferred on him a doctorate for his theatre activity and social services.

Shekher is a regular blood donor having donated more than 50 times and raised funds for the good cause with the help of Jaycees, Lions and Rotary Clubs. He was also elected as Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

KRISBI Travel prize

Denise Harvill speaking

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Georgia varsity urged to declare Diwali holiday SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Indian Americans across the country have urged the University of Georgia Athens (UGA) to declare Diwali, most popular Hindu holiday, as a uni-

greater flexibility in observing religious holidays need to be bestowed favorable consideration.

Holidays of all major religions should be honored and no one

UGA University & President Jere W. Morehead

versity-wide holiday.

UGA has already clarified its policy stating "as a public entity, the University cannot be in a position of supporting, or appearing to support, one religion or spiritual practice over another". It is in this context they maintain that UGA has declared other religious holidays then "why not Diwali, considered the most important Indian holiday.

It is also pointed out that a large number of UGA students and employees are of Indian origin.

Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stated that the UGA students' petition for

should be penalized for practicing their religion, Zed added.

Sohan Joshi, president of National Federation of Indian Associations said that that UGA should accommodate the religious needs of Indian origin students and employees and show respect to their faith by not conducting regular business and scheduling classes on Diwali. "We do not want our students to be penalized or put at an unnecessary disadvantage for missing tests/examinations/papers, assignments, class work, etc., by taking a day-off to observe Diwali," Zed added.

The "4.06-2 Religious Holidays Attendance Policy" of UGA "asks faculty members for understanding" in missed classes, mentioning specifically some Christian, Islamic and Jewish holidays, without any specific mention to Diwali or other Hindu holidays, Zed points out.

A group of Indian community leaders - Sohan Joshi, Madhu Patel (president of NRI Press Club), Rajan Zed, Nand Kapur (former president of Association of Indians in America, llinois - have appealed to UGA President Jere W. Morehead to declare Diwali as a UGA holiday. Zed also pointed out that awareness about other religions thus created by such holidays like Diwali would make UGA students well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.

UGA, founded in 1785 and which claims to be the "birthplace of the American system of public higher education" and ranks among the top public universities in the nation, offers doctoral degrees in 96 areas and baccalaureate degrees in over 140 fields to about 35,000 students. Georgia's oldest and home of the Peabody Awards, UGA has about 4.7 million volumes in its libraries and its annual budget is $1.48 billion.

Vivekananda Society announces Spiritual Retreats SURI SWAMY

CHICAGO: Swami Vivekanand Vedant Society, Chicago, has announced organizing its annual Spiritual Retreats at its Ganges

facility in Michigan from May 22 to October 25, 2015 to be addressed by highly acclaimed Swamis.

Swami Ishatmananda of the

Chicago facility stated that all devotees and friends are welcome to attend these retreats. Details are as under:

Group of Indian students

Etihad celebrates fifth anniversary of Chicago service Cont’d from page 21

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower for supporting the event.

Attractive prizes were distributed in a raffle. Munther Abdallah from Morgan Stanley and Jay Bhagat from Krisbi Travel got the second and first prize respectively.

Evia Travel's AQ Siddiqui was the lucky winner for the grand prize with two business class tickets and a three-night stay at Sofitel Abu Dhabi and a Safari Dinner.

Etihad Airways operates a daily flight from Chicago, connecting to

Addressing the guests, Denise Harvill, Vice President of Central USA, thanked all for joining the celebration dinner. She also thanked loyal travel agents for selling on behalf of Etihad Airways and other supporters. Denise remarked that soon after the Chicago launch, the Etihad Airways service in the Americas has expanded to include Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, and an additional daily flight from New York.

By the end of this year, By the end of this year, Etihad Airways Etihad Airways service will service will also begin also begin from San Franfrom San Francisco and cisco and Dallas/Fortworth.

Dallas/Fortworth. "As we grow," Denise said, "As we grow," Denise said, "we continue "we continue reimagining reimagining flying. We flying� have introduced the most exclusive flying experience many destinations worldwide. in the sky: the world's first three- Many travelers prefer Etihad Airroom private suite onboard our ways for the convenient and effinew A380, designed for up to two cient transfers to India, Pakistan, guests.

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Relax in the living room of The Middle East.

There is yet another attraction Residence, on plush Poltrona Frau leather sofa, and enjoy the latest for travelers on Etihad. As they entertainment on a 32-inch flat- return, US Customs and immigrascreen TV. Ask your personal But- tion is completed in Abu Dhabi ler to set up your dining table and during transit hours, so that travenjoy the gourmet meal prepared elers may walk out as domestic exclusively for you by our Inflight passengers in Chicago, New York, Chef. Only Etihad Airways could Washington, and many other destihave created this remarkable travel nations in the US. A frequent traveler described it as the "most excluexperience."

Earlier, Murielle Achkar wel- sive service" offered only by Etihad comed the guests on behalf of the Airways in the world. For Indian Chicago Etihad team. She also travelers, Etihad has joined partnerthanked the Abu Dhabi Tourism ship with Jet Airways connecting Authority, HALA Abu Dhabi, and to various Indian destinations

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Tech News Hindustan Motors offers VRS to its employees KOLKATA: The C K Birla owned Hindustan Motors Limited, which was put under suspension of work since May 24 this year, has offered VRS to all its employees.

The VRS notice was pasted on the gates of the company's Uttarpara unit by the management, which said all workers would be paid their statutory dues plus and additional amount of Rs one lakh each.

The VRS scheme would be applicable from till November 20, both days inclusive, the company said in a statement.

The Uttarpara unit of Hindustan Motors (HM) employed about 2,300 odd workers.

HM, which shot to limelight by manufacturing the iconic Ambassador car at its Uttarpara unit, faced troubled fortunes with declining sales of the vehicle over the years owing to onset of competition from Japanese and Korean auto makers.-PTI

India inks $200 mn pact for MSME tech centers NEW DELHI: India has inked a USD 200 million loan agreement with the World Bank to finance the setting up of technology centers to help small enterprises enhance productivity.

"The Loan Agreement for World Bank (IBRD) financing of USD 200 million for Technology Centre System Program (TCSP) was signed here between Government of India and the World Bank," the finance ministry said in a statement.

The TCSP is for setting-up 15 new Technology Centers and to modernize existing 18 TCs at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore (USD 400 million) including World Bank assistance of USD 200 million.

The project aims at enhancing the productivity of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) by improving their access to technology and business advisory services as well as skilled workers through systems of financially sustainable technology centers, the statement said.

The pact was signed by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Tarun Bajaj on behalf of India and Country Director of World Bank Onno Ruhl on behalf of World Bank, it added.

Representatives from the MSME Ministry and the World Bank, among others, were present on the occasion.-PTI

TechBiz 24 India Post

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November 14, 2014

Honda Cars India being presented a certificate in New Delhi on November 9 as it enters the Guinness World Records for the ‘Longest journey by a car in a single country’ with its family sedan Honda Amaze

New aviation policy suggests listing of AAI, Pawan Hans NEW DELHI: Terming UPA's aviation policy as "opaque", the government has brought in a fresh draft recommending listing of state-run Airports Authority of India and chopper firm Pawan Hans on stock exchanges and

metro airports as international hubs, create more airports through PPP mode, rationalize jet fuel cost, promote air cargo, MRO and helicopter operations and improve passenger facilitation.

The rule, which allows an Indian airline to fly abroad only after they have flown domestic for five years and have a 20-aircraft fleet, would also be reviewed, he said.

The draft would now be open for wider consultation Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju with all stakeholdsteps to beef up Air India opera- ers, with the Minister saying he tions, hinting at its stake sale too. hoped to finalize and implement it Civil Aviation Minister Ashok by January next year.

Gajapathi Raju unveiled the draft "If a policy existed (during UPA civil aviation policy which also rule), it was opaque. We want to proposes to enhance regional air develop a transparent policy beconnectivity, develop six major cause opaqueness leads itself to

allegations. This government wants to work in a transparent manner," Raju said in response to questions.

On the proposal to list mini ratna AAI and Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) on stock exchanges to "improve transparency and efficiency", he said, "AAI will be corporatised, followed by listing in the stock exchanges in order to improve efficiency and transparency. Listing of PHHL would also be undertaken with the same objective."

"PHHL's listing straightaway might make sense. For AAI also, that is possible," the Minister said.

A senior official later said no time frame has yet been fixed for by when the two entities would be listed or what percentage of government holding would be divested in them.

Regarding privatization of Air India, he said this was a suggestion made by "certain sections.

While some say privatization is a solution, others say it should remain with the public sector. Another section says the airline should be managed professionally

by professional bodies."

"Why should we close our options? Let us take a conscious decision," he said.

Asked whether Air India could also be listed in the stock market like AAI and PHHL, the Minister said, "If it could get listed, I would be the happiest person".

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Xoom expands instant deposit service in India India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Xoom Corporation, a leading digital money transfer provider, is now offering instant deposits to Kotak Mahindra Bank accounts in India.

This revolutionary service allows Xoom customers to instantly deposit money into their recipients' Kotak Mahindra Bank accounts, 365 days a year, including bank holidays. Instant deposits to Kotak Mahindra Bank are processed through Xoom's partnership with Punjab National Bank.

"Through our partnership with Punjab National Bank and the breakthrough IMPS technology,

we are thrilled to expand our instant deposit service to Kotak Mahindra Bank," said Julian King, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Xoom. "Instant deposits are available 365 days, including bank holidays, so customers will never have to wait.

Speed and convenience are what customers expect from Xoom's service and we continue to do just that in our mission to provide instant deposit to even more banks in India."

In addition to Kotak Mahindra Bank, Xoom also offers instant

deposits to ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Federal Bank and Yes Bank.

Xoom provides great locked-in exchange rates for money transfers to India, and there is no fee when customers send more than $1,000 and pay with their U.S.based bank account. Plus, Xoom continues to provide fast bank deposits within four hours to all other banks in India, including to NRE and NRO accounts, when sent during bank processing hours in India.

Customers can also download

the Xoom App for Android and iOS mobile devices for free. Visit https://www.xoom.com/india for more information.

About Xoom Xoom is a leading digital money transfer provider that enables consumers to send money to 30 countries in a secure, fast and cost-effective way, using their mobile phone, tablet or computer. During the 12 months ended June 30, 2014, Xoom's more than 1.1 million active customers sent approximately $6.3 billion to family and friends. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and can be found online at www.xoom.com.

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November 14, 2014

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Accenture develops mobile Central Bank to exit home finance arm app for Arunachal BENGALURU: Cosultancy giant Accenture is developing a mobile application for the Arunachal Pradesh government to help citizens access state department services such as healthcare,

categories in eight state departments ranging from safety and health alerts to employment services and pension benefits using the mobile tool and an online portal, the company said.

employment and pension benefits through online medium.

The application 'Arunachal mSeva', will help citizen to access 21 government services across 12

Accenture is developing the complete system at a cost of USD 70,000.

Arunachal m-Seva will be accessible across multiple technology

platforms, including Android, Windows, Nokia and iPhone, as well as marketplaces such as Google Play, Windows Phone Store, iPhone App Store and Nokia Store.

Accenture said it has also designed and will launch a web portal for the eight state departments of Health, Police, Tourism, Disaster Management, Agriculture, Land Management, Social Welfare and Employment.

Government officials and citizens will be able to track citizen requests, initiate actions for solutions and view transaction details using this system.

It is also working with the Arunachal Department of IT on the e-District project and with the Arunachal Pradesh Police to implement the state's Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS), an integrated system to share information on crimes across India. -PTI

Toshiba to invest $30 bn for power biz in India TOKYO/NEW DELHI: Japanese firm Toshiba Corporation will invest about USD 30 million for expanding its production capacity in the power transmission and distribution business in India.

The investment is part of the company's plan to invest USD 100 million in Indian power sector by 2016.

"Toshiba Corporation will reinforce its transmission and distribution (T&D) business in India with a 3 billion yen (approximately USD 30 million) investment in new production capacity at Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems India Private Ltd (TTDI) in Hyderabad," the company said in a statement.

"India is a high-growth market that Toshiba has positioned as a strategic base for its power-related businesses.

"In the period to FY16, Toshiba plans to invest a cumulative 10billion yen (approximately USD 100 million) in its T&D business there, including this current round of investment," said Katsutoshi Toda, CMD, TTDI.

"Toshiba is seeking to secure a 20 per cent share of the Indian market by 2018, and also reinforce TTDI as a core T&D production base for other major markets, including Europe, ASEAN, and Africa," Toda said.

A new facility for large power

transformers will come on line in 2015 at Hyderabad at the same time as the full scale launch of a new unit for switchgears.

Alongside its existing production line of small and medium capacity transformers and low and medium voltage switchgears, the new power transformer line will support production of 765 kV (kilovolt) transformers with a capacity of 500 MVA (mega volt ampere), while the new switchgear line will produce high voltage products.-PTI

MUMBAI: Even as it is looking for a buyer for its stake in IL&FS, state-run lender Central Bank of India has initiated the process to sell its housing finance business and appointed ICICI Securities to find a potential buyer.

The company, Cent Bank Home Finance, wherein the bank holds around 60 per cent, commenced operations in 1991.

"This is part of a government directive to sell non-core assets of PSU banks. We would like to sell our entire stake in our housing finance arm if we get the correct price," executive director R K Goyal said.

buyer for its stake in Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS).

The bank is one of the promoters of IL&FS and holds 8.34 per cent stake in it and is eyeing to raise around Rs 900 crore.

The top share-holders in IL&FS are LIC (25.34 per cent), Orix Corporation of Japan (23.04 per cent), Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (11.09 per cent) and IL&FS Employees' Welfare Trust (13.65 per cent).

Other share-holders include HDFC (9.81 per cent), SBI (6.98 per cent) and UTI (0.80 per cent).

Central Bank chairman and

The other share-holders in Cent Bank Home Finance are Hudco, UTI and National Housing Bank (NHB).

According to the bank, total valuation of its housing finance company is around Rs 200 crore and its stake is valued at around Rs 125 crore.

Goyal, however, said the current valuation of the company will be done by the ICICI Securities.

The bank earlier this year had appointed SBI Caps as the merchant banker to find out a right

managing director Rajeev Rishi had earlier said the lender needed Rs 2,000 crore capital in the current fiscal. In August, the bank had raised Rs 582 crore by selling 7.10 crore shares to LIC. "We need Rs 1,400-1,500 crore of funds in this year and we already are there in the market," Rishi had said last week.

The city-based bank reported a net profit of Rs 103 crore in the September quarter as against a loss of Rs 1,509 crore in the yearago quarter. -PTI

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Govt to push for BPOs in small towns PATNA: The Central government has decided to set up Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centers in small towns across the country to boost their economic development, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad said here.

"I have directed my officials to formulate guidelines regarding establishing BPO centers in small towns and cities across India like Gorakhpur, Ghazipur, Sagar and similar places in Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal," Prasad said.

Tax exemptions would be provided under the new guidelines for BPOs and the process for opening them would be liberalized, he said, adding this would be done

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad

55 pc fall in Kashmir tourism business: Assocham JAMMU: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India has said Kashmir's tourism industry which has been badly hit by calamity has registered a steep fall of 55 per cent in business.

The largest employment provider, tourism sector in Kashmir

The peak season for domestic tourists going to Kashmir are mainly in October, November and December, Rawat said adding a large share travelers from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai people have re-scheduled their annual leaves during the Christmas and New Year season.

Floods in Kashmir

has been hit to the extent of 55 percent in post-flood disaster, according to quick random survey undertaken by Assocham Social Development Foundation (ASDF) in the last two months, D S Rawat, Secretary General of Assocham said while releasing the industry body's paper.

Considered as a heaven for tourists, the state of J&K has suffered hugely due to devastating floods.

Assocham study said that thousands of tourists who had earlier planned their Christmas and New Year vacation in the valley next month are on a booking cancellation spree and exploring other tourist centers, he said.

"There is a steep fall in tourism business to the extent of 55 percent in Kashmir", adds the study.

"Floods in Kashmir have not

only destroyed tourist infrastructure like hotels, bed and breakfast inns and restaurants but set back tourism for the entire state by at least five years", says the report.

Assocham surveyed 450 tour operators from different cities and said 70-75 per cent cancellation of hotel rooms, airlines and trains have already taken place vis-a-vis Kashmir for the next 3-4 months.

"People fear being trapped and are therefore canceling their trips", Rawat said.

Many travelers to J&K have cancelled their trips to Kashmir and others are thinking twice now and are looking at alternative travel plans besides cancellation of the existing tour, he said. -PTI

State coops buying produce from farmers KOLKATA: To save farmers from middlemen, West Bengal cooperative department is buying paddy directly from them at minimum support price, a state minister said here.

West Bengal Cooperative Minister Jyotirmoy Kar said the

state government was also mulling the idea of creation of a cooperative corridor to facilitate the delivery of agricultural products directly from farmers to consumers. There are a total 44 cold storages for the benefit of potato farmers in the state, he said. -PTI

adhering to BJP's Lok Sabha poll manifesto to focus on the development of Eastern and Northeastern region.

Pitching for eight to 10 BPOs in Patna, he said proper power and connectivity would be needed for such projects.

Prasad was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of an incubation facility at the Software Technology Park (STP). It would cost Rs 10 crore, and would be ready in 18 months.

The minister sought more STPs in different parts of Bihar and said the Central government wanted to

open them at Bhagalpur and Darbhanga. He requested Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who was also at the dais, to provide land for it.

Manjhi, on his part, said the state government was ready to provide land for STPs at Bhagalpur and Darbhanga engineering colleges.

Expressing happiness at this, Prasad said if the state government provides land, his ministry would open branches of National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) at Muzaffarpur and Buxar in the state. -PTI

New aviation policy suggests listing of AAI, Pawan Hans Cont’d from page 24

tive of the exercise in both the entities. It will also help bring about greater professionalism in the boards of the two entities," the official said.

To questions on whether the rule of five years of domestic flying and 20-plane fleet to allow Indian carriers to fly abroad would be scrapped, the Minister indi-

Observing that an "in-house" Experts Committee would be set up soon to develop "a future roadmap" for Air India, he said, "It is in the country's interest that it cruises smoothly. All these suggestions have emerged. We don't want to open a Pandora's Box. We will have to take a conscious decision as it is a delicate matter."

Any decision on stake sale Later, the Civil Aviation Ministry official, or professional managewho did not wish to be ment would be taken only named, said any decision on stake sale or after the experts group professional manage- gives its recommendations ment would be taken only after the experts group gives its recommendations cated doing away with it, saying and then "we will see what is the rules which check the growth of best alternative or the best way aviation would go. "To my mind, it doesn't make sense ... we may forward."

On AAI and PHHL, he said it throw the bathwater and keep the would be easier to list PHHL be- baby". On high taxes on jet fuel, Raju cause it is already a registered said the Centre has been requesting states to lower the taxes as fuel costs company.

"It could take up to six months are close to 40-45 per cent of an for listing PHHL. We will work with airline's total operational cost.

"When global petroleum prices the Department of Disinvestment, as it is the nodal Ministry for di- are coming down, we will try to vesting stake in PSUs. Mopping get a strategy in place to pass on up funds is not the prime objec- that benefit," he said. -PTI

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Xiaomi to raise $1.5 bln in funding boost BEIJING: Xioami, currently the world's third-largest smartphone maker, is now planning to raise about USD 1.5 billion in its fifth round of financing, media reports said.

The company which has dominated China's smartphone market is talking to investors and banks to roughly raise about USD 1.5 billion, which would be the largest investment (excluding IPO) raised by any Chinese company backed by venture capital, financial news website Jiemian of the Shanghai United Media Group reported.

"Xiaomi shipped 18 million smartphones in the third quarter, an increase of 18 percent from the previous quarter.

For the first nine months, Xiaomi, whose name means "millet" in Chinese, shipped a total of 44 million units, Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun said.

Xiaomi, currently the world's third-largest smartphone maker

after Samsung and Apple, will use USD 1 billion to expand its own TV content for which they have hired Chen Tong, former editor-inchief of popular news portal Sina.com, to revamp its Internet video business, Xinhua news agency reported.

O n e of the investors is said to be DST Global, a London-based investment firm that focuses on Internet companies, Jiemian reported.

"Xiaomi, one of the large Chinese technology companies, valued at USD 50 billion would tap the IPO market next year," Hong Kong-based South China Morn-

ing Post reported.

The company is seen by investors as the most likely candidate to become the next "Chinese IT legend" after Alibaba, which completed a USD 25 billion IPO in the United States in September.

According to International Data Corporation, Xiaomi's global mark e t share stood at 5.3 per cent, following Samsung's 23.8 per cent and Apple's 12 per cent in the t h i r d quarter of this year, bringing it on number 3 position onto the list of top 5 manufacturers for the first time.

Xiaomi was founded in April 2010 by Lei and his friends in Zhongguancun, Beijing's technology hub, which has been called China's Silicon Valley, their first smartphone debuted on August 16, 2011. -PTI

JPMorgan plans to cut 3,000 more jobs this year NEW YORK: JPMorgan, the nation's largest bank by assets, plans to cut 3,000 more jobs this year than previously planned in its card and mortgage business units.

The bank said in February that it was planning to eliminate about 2,000 jobs this year in its card, merchant services and auto unit, but now says that it will have cut a total of 4,000 jobs in the unit by the end of 2014.

JPMorgan will also eliminate more jobs in its mortgage unit, reducing up to 7,000 positions in that part of the bank, compared with an earlier target of 6,000.

The New York bank employs about 251,000 employees worldwide, according to FactSet. The figures were disclosed in a presentation made by Gordon Smith, CEO of Chase Consumer & Community Banking. He was speaking at the BancAnalysts Association of Boston Confer-

ence in Boston.

JPMorgan Chase and Co, which reported net income of USD 5.6 billion in the third quarter, is seeking to cut expenses at its consumer banking unit by USD 2 billion between 2014 and 2016, ac-

cording to the presentation.

The bank is also trying to cut the costs through greater use of technology.

For example, by encouraging more customers to use electronic statements instead of paper ones, the bank estimates that it can save about USD 100 million in paper and mailing costs by 2016. Smith estimates that the cost of a mailing statement is about 50 cents, compared to a cost of less than 1 cent for one that is sent electronically. -AP

Spectrum approved for cordless telephony

GLOBAL SUMMIT: Ian Macfarlane, Minister for Industry, Government of Australia and Adi Godrej, Past President, CII and Chairman Godrej Group at the 6th Global Summit on Skill Development 2014 in New Delhi on November 10

NEW DELHI: Inter-ministerial implementation of the TRAI recpanel Telecom Commission has ommendations would advance the approved free allocation of 20 objectives behind Digital India. megahertz of spectrum for Therefore, the commission decordless telephone system that cided to accept recommendation can be used for communication of TRAI and it should be placed within a premise or similar small before competent authority for fiarea for non-commercial purpose. nal decision," an official source Telecom regulator TRAI in 2012 had recommended that a 20 Telecom regulator TRAI in megahertz of frequencies in a band should be 2012 had recommended delicensed for low that a 20 megahertz of frepower operations of cordless telecommuni- quencies in a band should cations system (CTS) be delicensed for low for private and indoor power operations use but not for commercial use.

The implementation of the said. move will reduce telecom bills of The Defense Ministry had obbusiness houses within their pre- jected to the recommendation as mises and provide more flexibility the 20 Mhz frequency spot lies in at work with cordless phones as the band which it uses for its comwell as boost development of munication services. The Miniscordless telephone systems in the try has raised security concern on country. freeing up spectrum for general "The Commission has said that public.-PTI

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Meherbaan : Bang Bang 2 Manwa Laage : Happy New Year 3 Tere Ho Ke Rahenge : Raja Natwarlal 4 Bang Bang: Bang Bang 28 India Post

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November 14, 2014

P

riyanka Chopra who was recently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period love story, Bajirao Mastani, where she plays the queenly Kashibai, is now making heads turn in the US. The actress jetted off to Los Angeles to attend a Halloween party hosted by an entertainment portal. She was eye-catching in a quirky outfit and retro make-up.

The persona she took on was Sasha. It was an alter-ego PeeCee came up with inspired by the heroines of pop artist Roy Lichenstein.

Her polka-dotted damsel in distress was quite a treat for the revelers. During her stay there, she also met Emmy Award winning comedienne Kathy Griffin.

K

atrina Kaif doesn't get perturbed with the increasing competition.

"Actors are very self-involved. A lot of times, they just want to better themselves and their work, rather than stress about comparisons with other actors," says the 30-year-old, who is often compared to her contemporaries like Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.

The 'numbers game' in the industry, Katrina feels, is only temporary, and it changes perceptions with every film a star delivers. According to her, actors should use these perceptions to better themselves. "For instance, if in a certain year, your film hasn't released, then there's no reason to stress.

But if you have had a release and your performance could have been better, then go and have a chat with yourself in the mirror or with your director, and say, 'Let me try and improve my work and do better'," says Katrina, who reveals that after all this while in this industry, she has matured as a person, too.

"You are still passionate about your work, but after a while, you also start focusing on other facets of your life," she says.

K

5

Lovely : Happy New Year

6 Bismil : Haider 7 Tu Meri : Bang Bang 8 India Waale : Happy New Year 9 Sawaan Aaya Hai : Creature 3D 10 Naina: Khoobsurat

The actress jetted off to Los Angeles to attend a Halloween party hosted by an entertainment portal.

She was eye-catching in a quirky outfit and retro make-up

areena Kapoor is very impressed with the kind of 'realistic' work that young film-makers are doing, and would love to team up with some of them. She says, "I am interested in working with new directors, and look forward to doing something that I have not done in the past. However, I will only choose films that suit my personality. I am not keen to drastically change my career graph. I think I have done enough to prove my potential."

Putting things in perspective, Kareena says, "At this phase in my life, I want to select films that really interest me. I will soon start shooting for a film with Salman (Khan), and I believe that it will be something that will attract the attention of film lovers."

Kareena and Saif recently

celebrated their second wedding anniversary at Saif's ancestral home in Pataudi. But

Bollywood

November 14, 2014

www.indiapost.com

Y

ami Gautam recently re vealed how she was initially intimidated by her 'Action Jackson' co-star Ajay Devgn. Turns out, she was so nervous about shooting with him that she just couldn't get a particular scene right.

"We were doing a serious scene and I couldn't stop laughing because I was so overwhelmed by his presence. I kept telling myself that I need to get serious," she said, adding, "Initially, I used to weigh my words when I spoke to him. I would be conscious and it wasn't a great sight as I wasn't at my best."

V

adodara makes Nandana Sen nostalgic. Having shot for the film 'Rang Rasiya' at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in 2008, she says that shooting there remains one of her favorite memories in life, "It's a really majestic palace and also, the museum here is a treasure trove of some great paintings by Raja Ravi Varma. I have always been a great admirer of Varma's works and the kind of patronage that he got from the royal family here played a huge role in his growth.

So, coming back to this city is always special."

Talking about her role in the movie, Nandana says, "Playing the role of Sugandha, Ravi Varma's muse, was challenging but it turned out to be a very beautiful experience as an artist. Having grown up in the US, I have missed out on several aspects related to our rich culture and heritage, like our epics and great art forms. It was as if those things had slipped away from me a little bit, and this role gave me the chance to delve deep into all that again. Doing a role like this also made me feel like the quintessential Indian woman, something that I have never felt in such a manner before."

W

hat is common to the names like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, R. Madhavan, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, besides the fact that they are famous Bollywood celebrities?

Well, all of them have pledged to donate their eyes.

Well, today's 'it' girl Sonakshi Sinha has joined the likes of the above by pledging to donate her eyes to a Haryanabased foundation which works towards the eradication of corneal blindness. Speaking about the same, Sonakshi said that she is extremely proud and humbled to be associated with the foundation's cause. She also appealed to her fans and friends to pledge to donate their eyes too and give somebody the gift of sight.

Way to go, Sonakshi!

India Post 29

Sports Track CTL will help promote tennis in India: Jankovic NEW DELHI: For a country like India that is deprived of top class tennis action due to lack of toptier tournaments, organization of the Champions Tennis League (CTL) will be great for the sport, says former world number one Jelena Jankovic.

The 29-year-old Serbian singles star, ranked 14, will play for 'Delhi Dreams' in the six-team league beginning November 17 here at DLTA Complex.

India hosts only one ATP 250 tournament - Chennai Open - at the beginning of the season and it was way back in 2008 when the country hosted a top WTA event.

"I think the league will help promote tennis in India.

There were some tournaments in India several years ago, I was in Bangalore in 2008. It is nice to have a league and get top players playing. I think the standard is great. We have a lot of big names, great champions from the past and now (present)," Jelena told PTI from Thailand, where she is holidaying.-PTI

Victorious Indian hockey team returns home NEW DELHI: Indian men's hockey team that stunned world champions Australia 3-1 in a test series returned home to a rousing reception by Hockey India (HI) and fans here.

The Sardar Singh led team put up stupendous show after losing the first test. It was second big achievement for the side in recent times after winning the Asian Games gold medal in Incheon.

"I am extremely happy with the way our team has performed in the entire series. And there could be no better gift to my completion of 200 international caps than this memorable win," India skipper Sardar Singh.

"This will act as a motivation for the boys to give a better performance in the upcoming Champions Trophy. I am confident that the boys will perform well in the upcoming tournament," Sardar said.

Congratulating the team for their superb performance, Hockey India Secretary General Md. Mushtaque Ahmad said, "Team India had a good game against Australia which is a good sign of confidence and control. Also, Sardar Singh's achievement of completing 200 international caps has added a glory to the win. I feel the team is ready to take up more challenges and deliver even better results in the Champions Trophy which is our next focus."-PTI

SPORTS 30 India Post

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We could not play our brand of cricket: Mathews

November 14, 2014

HYDERABAD: Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews says the challenge of performance against India in their own backyard was never beyond doubt but he is pained to see that they have failed to play their brand of cricket.

"It was always going to be tough in India, whether you are prepared or not prepared. It is a challenging tour for any team, not only us. Not many teams have won against India in India.

But we just wanted to play our brand of cricket, which we haven't played in the last three games," a dejected Mathews said after losing the third ODI by six wickets.-PTI

ICC terms Windies pull out unacceptable; players can be penalized DUBAI: Terming the controversial pull-out by West Indies midway their India tour as "unacceptable", the ICC has warned players against taking contractual matters into their own hands and hinted that they could be penalized by disallowing them to play in domestic tournaments like IPL if they repeat such acts in future.

The West Indies team left India four matches into a five-game ODI series after a pay dispute between the players and their Board, with a Twenty20 international and three Tests to play. As a result, the BCCI have demanded USD 42 million in compensation and damages.

The ICC said in a statement that the pull-out by the West Indies team damaged cricket's integrity and reputation.

"It was undoubtedly a sad chapter in our sport. It damaged cricket's integrity and reputation as well as affecting confidence within cricket community, especially that of fans," said ICC chairman N Srinivasan after the crisis was discussed during the world body's two-day board meeting here.

"The ICC and all of its Member Boards noted with deep disappointment the recent decision of the West Indies players to abandon an international tour without fulfilling the contractually agreed

West Indies team after losing the Dharamsala ODI against India

playing obligations between the WICB and the BCCI," said the ICC which has previously stated it cannot intervene in disputes over bilateral series unless it receives a complaint.

"Putting aside the legitimacy or otherwise of any grievances of parties involved (and which are now the subject of a domestic Task Force probe), the ICC and all Member Boards noted that players abandoning tours have the potential to cause irrevo-

cable damage to the sport.

"It can also damage in jurisdiction of relevant Member Board concerned, as well as enormous financial damage, which might adversely affect financial viability of sport itself.

"With that in mind, and in a show of solidarity, all Member Boards collectively expressed the view that they consider such player action to be extremely disruptive, damaging and unacceptable," the ICC

said.

The ICC said that players would be penalized if there was similar action in the future.

"Players who behave in a similar manner in future will not only risk breaching the disciplinary rules of relevant Member Board and being sanctioned accordingly, but may also put in jeopardy their ability to conclude future contractual arrangements with domestic franchises or clubs in other jurisdictions." -PTI

Hockey India announces first ever annual awards NEW DELHI: In a first for Indian hockey, the national federation has decided to have the 'Hockey India Annual Awards' wherein the top players in the men's and women's categories will walk away with a prize money of Rs 25 lakh each.

Hockey India will be identifying and rewarding the most promising and potent players from the current as well as upcoming teams.

Speaking on the announcement, Hockey India Secretary General Md Mushtaque Ahmad said, "It is huge leap that we at Hockey India are preparing for.

These awards are not only fo-

cused towards the welfare of the players but will ultimately help in boosting the morale of the play-

ers and motivating them to perform even better.

"The Hockey India family as an organization takes pride in an-

nouncing the Hockey India Annual Awards for the Players and shall strive to take more such steps for the enhancement of the sport as well the players."

HI has decided to name the individual trophies after HI President Dr Narinder Batra's son Dhruv, who passed away recently.

"The Hockey India Executive Board and the Indian hockey community recognize and acknowledge the major contribution that Dr. Narinder Batra in particular and his family have made to Indian

hockey. Dr Batra was also recently honored internationally by being awarded the FIH Presidents award at the FIH Congress on 1 November 2014 for his role in the development and growth of hockey in India over the recent years," he said.

"In remembrance of the late Mr. Dhruv Batra who expired on 29 October 2014, during the FIH Congress, the son of President, Dr Narinder Batra, the Board thought it was fitting to name the 'Player of the Year? awards in the category of men and women to the remarkable young man that was Mr. Dhruv Batra," Ahmad added.-PTI

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Rahul, Karn make cut for Australia; Dhoni to skip opener MUMBAI: Upcoming batsman K L Rahul and leg-spinner Karn Sharma were named in India's 19member Test squad for the tour of Australia, where skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will skip the opening match owing to an injury.

Suresh Raina staged a comeback into the Test fold while wicketkeeperbatsman Naman Ojha also found a place in the squad announced by BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel after a meeting of the selection committee here.

With the selectors opting to go for youngsters, senior players like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha continued to be on the sidelines.

Dhoni, who is nursing a right thumb injury which he picked up during the truncated series against West Indies, has been ruled out of the first Test in Brisbane (December 4 to 8) and Virat Kohli will lead the team in this match.

"Virat Kohli will lead India in the first Test, starting on 4 December 2014, in Brisbane. M.S. Dhoni has been rested for the first Test as a prophylactic measure to ensure optimum recovery. He will join

the team from the second Test onwards, and will lead the team for the rest of the Test series," Patel said in a statement.

There were no major surprises

K L Rahul

in the squad for Australia as Rahul's name had been doing the

rounds for his consistent performance in domestic cricket.

The 22-year-old from Karnataka piled up 1035 in the last Ranji season, finishing as the second highest run-scorer after Kedar Jadhav. With knocks of 185 and 130 in the recent Duleep Trophy, the batsman had caught the eye of selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil.

Rahul also has the experience of playing in Australia as he had opened for India A in a recent tour Down Under.

The 27-year-old Karn, who has already played a Twenty20 International for India, has been performing well with leg-break bowling in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who bought him for a whopping Rs 3.75 crore. He grabbed 11 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 6.60 in the season gone by.

Naman Ojha has also benefited from his good form in the domestic circuit and has been chosen in the squad more as a reserve bats-

Karn Sharma

Virat Kohli celebrates his fifty against Sri Lanka during 3rd ODI match at Hyderabad on November 9 and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma cheers for Virat Kohli during the match

man than a wicketkeeper. He scored four centuries on the trot, including three in Australia.

It was also a comeback of sorts for Raina, who has been a regular in the ODI team but has struggled to retain his place in the longer format.

The team has five specialist pacemen - Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Aaron. But worryingly, three of them - Ishant, Varun and Shami are recovering from injuries.

There are three specialist spinners in the squad with R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Karn Sharma.

The batting line-up has a more assured look with Dhawan and Murali Vijay picked for opening.

Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina along with captain

LITTLE MASTER'S WAY: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar during the launch of his autobiography 'Playing It My Way' at the Lords Cricket Ground in London on November 7 (left). Signing the book (right) and below, the big crowd assembled on the occasion.

Dhoni make a for a strong middleorder.

The Indians are scheduled to play four Test matches during the tour. Apart from Brisbane, Adelaide (December 12 to 16), Melbourne (December 26 to 30) and Sydney (January 3 to 7) will host the other three matches.

The Test matches will be followed by an ODI tri-series with England being the third team.

Team for Australia Tests Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, R Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron.-PTI

32

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Realty Tidbits

Godrej Q2 sales bookings more than double NEW DELHI: Realty firm Godrej Properties Ltd's sales bookings jumped more than two-fold at Rs 880 crore in the second quarter of the current fiscal despite slowdown in the real estate market.

It had achieved sales bookings of Rs 333 crore in the July -September period of last fiscal, Godrej Properties said in an investors' presentation.

In volume terms, the realty arm of the Godrej group sold 13.97 lakh sq ft in the July-September quarter as against 5.05 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.

Godrej Properties attributed the rise in sales value and volume to excellent response to the launches of new projects or new phase in existing projects.

Out of total Q2 sales bookings, the company's new project in Gurgaon 'Godrej Aria', launched in September, contributed the maximum at Rs 284 crore.

In this project, it sold over 250 apartments in 3 weeks at an average selling price was Rs 7,000 per sq ft.

Besides Gurgaon project, its another project 'Godrej City' at Panvel contributed Rs 190 crore in sales bookings. -PTI

Property registry to be delivered at home in Haryana CHANDIGARH: Haryana government says it is working on a new policy to check corruption during immovable property registration at revenue offices in the state.

Under the new policy, a buyer or seller wanting to get property registered or transferred will just have to deposit requisite stamp duty in the tehsil (revenue office) while the owner will get registry at home.

This was stated by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Rohtak.

Stating that people have lots of complaints regarding registry of immovable property in tehsils, Khattar said, "Work has already started on the new arrangement under which people will get registry at their doorsteps. Concerned officers have assured me that it will be in place after a month."

"If any discrepancy is found in the new system of delivery of registry at people's doorsteps, it would be addressed. If any mistake is found in the registry delivered at the house of the property owner, it would be rectified," he said. -PTI

Real Estate 33

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Tiny house fits family in 196 square feet

B

oise, Idaho-based architec tural designer Macy Miller built her own 196-square-foot home, which she shares with her partner, James Herndon, their newborn, Hazel, and the family's Great Dane, Denver. The exterior cladding, which Miller stained for a uniform effect, is a mix of nearly a dozen types of wood plank, including poplar, oak, and fir.

November 14, 2014

Details on Page 35

6 best home fixes for the money

W

DANA DRATCH

ant to recover the most for your remodeling dollar at resale?

Keep it simple, pay to have it done right and don't overimprove.

Moderately priced materials and finishes could be a smarter bet than top-of-the-line treatments, says Howard Morrel, associate real estate broker with Brown Harris Stevens in New York City.

"Use quality, but the least ornate option - the simplest form of renovation that you can do," he says.

In a neighborhood of $100,000 homes, adding a $50,000 kitchen may give you the edge over the competition at resale, but it probably won't boost the sale price much, says Pat Vredevoogd Combs, past president of the National Association of Realtors and vice president of Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt Realty in Grand Rap-

Picture adding a sumptuous hotel suite to your home -- an extra-large sleeping suite, complete with sitting area, fireplace, kitch-

your remodeling buck? With any remodeling project, it's smart to do it for your own enjoyment and not count on getting all the renova-

enette and luxurious bathroom.

According to the Remodeling magazine survey, this project can potentially add the most dollar value to a home at resale. But it

ids, Michigan.

A 2014 report by Remodeling magazine listed 35 professional projects nationwide (no do-ityourself), along with estimated costs and return at resale. When it came to adding the most dollar value at resale, here are the six that topped that list, from sixth-best to best.

was also the most expensive project on the list. And in terms of the percentage recouped at resale (about 56 percent nationally), it offered one of the lowest returns on the dollar, according to the report.

tion costs back at resale, says Combs.

One feature in an upscale master suite addition that can help with resale: a fireplace, says Dick Gaylord, past president of the National Association of Realtors and broker with Re/Max Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, California.

Not only would it be featured in the listing, but it can make the home easier to sell because "many people love" a master suite fireplace, he says.

This project is a twofer: It adds a family room downstairs, plus a new bedroom and bathroom upstairs.

"If you really need some square footage, I think it's a good idea," says Combs.

But, depending on where you are, you may have some less expensive options for enlarging your home -- such as finishing off a basement, she says.

The right reason to remodel Want to get the most bang for

Get out of the house One pro tip: Move out for the

duration of the renovation, says Mike Holmes, contractor and host of HGTV's "Holmes on Homes."

In the first place, a two-story or second-story renovation affects too many parts of the house, so living there is often not a good idea, he says. "It's a nightmare to live in."

"Too many times, contractors say you can live in the house" while they do the work. But you really can't, Holmes says.

It can be so stressful that he's dubbed the gritty byproduct of large-scale renovations "divorce dust."

Holmes' advice: Relocate people, pets and belongings. But arrange to be present every time an inspector is there "so that you can hear what he says about the work."

In the same category as kitchen and bathroom remodels, a moderate master suite addition can add to resale value, Gaylord says.

"You're going to put in double sinks, you're going to put in plenty of closet space, you're going to have a sitting area," and all those things can make the home easier to sell and likely move the price needle upward, too, he says.

If that master suite addition is on the main level, that's a huge plus for baby boomer buyers, Combs says.

Keep it simple Typically, a more modest addition (in the Remodeling report, this one is 384 square feet instead of the upscale version's 640 square feet, with tile instead of marble and stone, and without either a kitchenette or fireplace) can be a smarter move at resale.

Cont’d on page 34

Real Estate Post

34 India Post

November 14, 2014

www.indiapost.com

Iowa man builds charming little 100-square-foot home DES MOINES, Iowa: Sean Spain is selling a house for $10,500, about the price of a used car with a sleepable back seat.

Granted, it's 100 square feet. But the home is a charming little rebuttal to America's obsession with big living. The average home square footage in the U.S. continues to climb - 1,525 square feet in 1973 to 2,598 last year - while an underground trend toward ``micro'' living has emerged, The Des Moines Register reported.

Most people's master baths are bigger than Spain's cottage. It sits on an old trailer and is made of reclaimed materials and features a living room, kitchen and sleeping

loft all in one room and a tiny toilet closet.

Iowans were at the forefront of the tiny-house trend a dozen years ago, but it has taken off in coastal states, Colorado and among the popular press. Just how many tiny houses of fewer than 300 square feet exist is not known because they're often out of view on private land or rolled into recreational vehicle parks, too small to meet city zoning and building code requirements.

The small homes hit at a philosophy, which often sounds good on paper but more difficult in reality: Let's get rid of all this stuff and live simply. The young

want them for affordability, the empty nesters because they are

It starts with the trailer, which costs fifty bucks to pull off a farmer's property.

Spain wanted to build the home on a mobile platform, so its 2,900 pounds could be pulled anywhere by a sturdy truck.

tired of tending to large homes filled with rooms they never go in.

Others want them because the Earth is warming and the environment matters to them.

Or maybe they just always wanted a fort. ``I have friends in Colorado who told me there is a huge market for these out there,'' said Spain, who works in construction.

So at age 52, with his kids grown, he decided it was time to pursue a passion, assembling a work of rustic art making little abodes from materials gathered at auctions, farm yards and garage sales.

former cedar deck and tin from an old barn, as is a small front deck on hinges that can be plopped down to enjoy the day or pulled up for transport. A headlight from an antique car lights the entrance and a tractor fender serves as an entry overhang.

Inside the front door made of reclaimed wood and an antique knob from a house in Des Moines, is a warm little room with a vaulted ceiling. The walls are quarter-inch cedar and the cabinets for storage are made of old barn wood. A bench seat with a cushion is what you have to sit on.

There is a counter with a sink

Let's take a home tour. You can stand in one place.

It starts with the trailer, which costs fifty bucks to pull off a farmer's property. Spain wanted to build the home on a mobile platform, so its 2,900 pounds could be pulled anywhere by a sturdy truck.

It currently sits by the Raccoon River on his son's property in West Des Moines' Commerce neighborhood.

Its mobility serves a larger purpose. Most cities, including Des Moines, have a building code requirement that adheres to international codes for a dwelling, requiring at least one room with 120 square feet and other rooms not less than 70 square feet. If it's mobile you don't need a building permit. Although West Des Moines has no minimum square footage requirements, there are lot-size requirements and zoning regulations that could prohibit it.

Spain envisions a country acreage owner who wants a temporary cabin or getaway as his primary customer, although in some states the tiny homes are serving as a year-around residences.

The roof and windows are new to prevent leaks. It's insulated, and a steel beam structure makes it more lightweight so it can be pulled easier. Most of the rest is made of used material that Spain hunted down. The exterior is

along the ``far'' wall, a space for a tiny propane stove and cubby for a compact refrigerator. On the opposite wall, a custom-made furniture stand can serve as place for electronics or eating or anything you don't have place for, which may be a bit of everything.

A ladder leads to a loft with just enough clearance to sit up in bed and fit two snugly.

A room smaller than a closet fits the toilet and your legs. Hookups for septic and a breaker box allow you to be on the grid, while a wallmounted propane heater supplies heat. With today's compact entertainment options, if you've got a tablet you've got an entertainment center and a library.

That's it. 14 feet by 7 feet. ``Some people can live in here,'' said Spain, who lives in Johnston. ``My tools alone wouldn't fit.''

The Small House Society was launched in Iowa City. Jay Shafer, a former university art professor, built a 130-square foot home in Iowa City and word got around.

By 2002, he joined Greg Johnson and others to form the Small House S o c i e t y (www.smallhousesociety.net) that fosters the development of smaller, sustainable living spaces. ``There are quite a few in Iowa City,'' said Johnson, who works in the University of Iowa's IT department. -AP

6 best home fixes for the money Cont’d from page 33

In the Remodeling report, the moderate master suite additions return almost 68 percent at resale versus 56 percent for the upscale versions.

"Oddly enough, you'll probably make back more of your money if you keep it inexpensive," Holmes says. "When it comes down to budget, the only way to

save without doing it wrong is to go with simple finishes," he says.

"It's fairly easy to upgrade cosmetics later, if you want."

Buyers love stylish kitchens and bathrooms. So it's safe to say that "kitchen remodels and bathroom remodels are the typical candidates for adding value," Morrel says.

And your buyer doesn't have to be a chef or a foodie to appreciate a good kitchen. Even for people who don't cook, "kitchens are important," Gaylord says. "Very often, in selling a home where the kitchen hasn't been upgraded, buyers talk about upgrading the kitchen," he says. "It adds to the resale value."

Especially in an older home, Combs says.

In her area of Michigan, "there are 80-year-old homes that are stately and beautiful," she says.

"But if you are trying to sell with an 80-year-old kitchen, that doesn't make it in today's market.

To sell it, they're going to have to

put in a new kitchen. This is going to make or break it at resale."

If the home and kitchen are older, a smart kitchen remodel has to go beyond mere finishes and appliances, Holmes says.

Homeowners also need to update the old systems (electrical, plumbing, etc.), he says. "Otherwise that renovation is just cosmetic, and that's a no-no."

Don't let the name "family room addition" fool you.

Even people who don't have families want a family room -a great room, den or entertainment area "off the kitchen where they can watch TV and hang out," Gaylord says.

Since this is an addition, Holmes recommends combining it with another project, like a kitchen renovation, to get the most for your remodeling dollar.

"If you do it all at once, you're going to save some money," he says.

Another way to do it Or, if you want a similar effect for less, consider repurposing existing space rather than building an addition, Combs says. Depending on your floor plan and the age of your house, you could use a formal dining room, old-fashioned living room or even finish a basement, she says.

If you do opt for an addition, do it "because it opens the house to better entertaining and gives it a better flow," Combs says. "You wouldn't do it just to sell."

And crunch the numbers to

verify that the expense makes sense for your home, she says.

The resale value of a finished basement depends largely on your neighborhood, area and region, Combs says.

In much of Michigan, finished basements aren't a big addition to home value, she says. So the question of "finished or unfinished" is more a matter of personal preference than home value, says Combs.

In other areas, it can add value or even sway the sale, Morrel says. His own professional basement remodel to a vacation home finished off 600 square feet of living space and added a picture window with copious amounts of natural light.

While it wasn't cheap - especially since adding the window

meant having professionals cut through concrete - it "created something out of nothing," says Morrel. And, "it's something that people definitely appreciate."

Still, spending more on renovations doesn't translate to more money at resale, he says.

One down-and-dirty formula Morrel recommends to calculate how much completing unfinished space adds to home value: Divide your home value by finished square footage. Now multiply the result (dollar value per finished square foot) by the number of square feet you're having finished.

-Courtesy Bankrate.com

Real Estate Post

November 14, 2014

India Post 35

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Tiny house fits family in 196 square feet

B

oise, Idaho-based architec tural designer Macy Miller built her own 196-squarefoot home, which she shares with her partner, James Herndon, their newborn, Hazel, and the family's Great Dane, Denver. The exterior cladding, which Miller stained for a uniform effect, is a mix of nearly a dozen types of wood plank, including poplar, oak, and fir.

Six years ago, designer Macy Miller was in the middle of a divorce and facing foreclosure on her 2,500-square-foot home-an experience that was emblematic of the economic downturn. Since then, however, she has become a poster child for a different cultural phenomenon, one that has gained momentum with the belttightening ushered in by the recession: the tiny-house movement.

Miller put $11,400 and her own sweat equity into building a 196square-foot shelter on a new piece of property in Boise, Idaho, where she works for a commercial architecture firm. "I wanted a space I

could do my own thing with, but not be tied up with a bank," she remembers. "I'm also studying for my construction license, and I needed a project to work on."

Motivated, Miller read manuals, watched YouTube video tutorials, and banned her plumber dad from helping.

An enthusiastic cook, Miller says she can easily work in the galley-style kitchen.

The reclaimedwood surround echoes the exterior cladding.

Situated on a downtown lot, the house-with sustainable features like radiant floor heating, a composting toilet, and a modified

SLIDESHOW

green roof-is designed to be offgrid compatible when hooked up to a solar array. And despite its extraordinarily petite footprint,

smaller house.

In the bathroom, a chrome waterfall faucet by LightInTheBox tops a 12.6-inch-square Mini Nova

bought the trailer just to support that. When it drops below 20 degrees, I have to supplement with a space heater. But the thermal mass I put in for the radiant-heat floor is really good in the summer.

Porcelain floor tile from Daltile is a durable, easy-to-clean substitute for wood. The family does laundry in an efficient Summit SPWD1800 washer-dryer combination unit. Miller saved money in the kitchen by using a reclaimed sink and faucet and drawer pulls from Ikea.

I deliberately built with the ability to adapt. The patio was intended so I could enclose it and call it a nursery, but I'm not going to do that. The baby just wants to be near me, and I want to be near her, too. She has a cosleeper, a crib-sized bed that fits next to me.

I like being downtown, being able to ride my bike to get a beer.

You can't really do that in the suburbs. Ultimately, it's about exploring how you live, what you need, and what's comfortable. Courtesy Dwell

M3M, Chinese group to develop expo-centre in Delhi Miller says there's plenty of space not only for herself and her partner, but also for their Great Dane (who takes to small spaces better than her previous dog, a Chihuahua, did), and a recent ad-

dition: a newborn baby.

Macy Miller: I started with just a trailer. A lot of people think it's about mobility, but it's really not.

Boise has a minimum square footage for dwellings-600 square feet.

If you put wheels under it, it kind of bypasses all the building codes.

We're not trying to get around the system per se. We just wanted a

basin by Barclay; a retractable Ikea mirror is the only concession to vanity.

There's preconsumer and postconsumer recycling. A lot of what I got is preconstruction.

There's a lot of waste in the construction industry; you order a little extra when you don't have time to wait for another load. I capitalized on that a bit, and being in the field helps. Pretty much all of my lumber was brand new from a larger jobsite where they over-ordered. I ended up paying $300. The windows are all brand-spanking new. A developer I knew had a little misorder happen. I got to go down there and pick up the windows I wanted, which they donated.

For the radiant floor, I went with a 6,000-pound tile system with an inch and a half of mortar bed. We added a third axle when I

BEIJING: M3M Group, an Indian real estate development firm has entered into a strategic partnership with top Chinese showcase developments firm to build a large Expo-Centre in New Delhi with multi billion dollar investment.

An MOU for the project was signed between M3M Group and XinJi Group in Guangzhou, where the Chinese firm, which specializes in supplying hotel and residential equipment in China and to different parts of the world, is located.

"We at M3M Group are proud to sign this MOU agreement to jointly co-work with one of China's best and largest groups to develop world-class Exposition Centers in India," Pankaj Bansal, Director-M3M Group said after the MoU with the Chinese firm was signed during the weekend.

The project, to be built in Delhi, shall be one of its own kind in India with large International Convention Arenas, Exhibition Halls, showrooms and other allied developments.

It shall serve as single point showcase window and business interface for extended segment of manufactures and service providers, Bansal said in a press release.

Land to the tune of 500 to 1000

acres is being identified around Delhi for the project, he said.

Commenting on the MOU, India's Consul General in Guangzhou, K Nagaraj Naidu said if materialized, such huge expocenters could play a major role in showcasing India's products as the country lacks this facility, bar-

The project, to be built in Delhi, shall be one of its own kind in India with large International Convention Arenas, Exhibition Halls, showrooms and other allied developments. It shall serve as single point showcase window ring a few like in Pragathi Maidan.

China has benefited immensely from developing huge expo- centers in several cities including Shanghai and Guangzhou by holding annual fairs attended by lakhs of buyers from abroad, Naidu said.-PTI

„ Health

Line

Punjab govt to implement UHM for urban poor CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has given nod to execute the Urban Health Mission (UHM) in the state wherein health care facilities will be provided to urban poor and other unprotected sections of society.

Punjab Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani said the health department has embarked upon a plan to implement the UHM on the pattern of Rural Health Mission in the state.

The UHM will cover slum dwellers and other marginalized urban dwellers like rickshaw pullers, street vendors, railway and bus station coolies, homeless people and street children along with construction site workers.

Under the UHM, as many as 40 towns have been identified where 155 Primary Health Centers with OPD facilities would be established while 13 community Health Centers will be set up in Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar.

These centers would be well equipped with latest machinery and diagnostic units with OPD and In-door facilities for the patients. -PTI

„ Under 21? No buying cigarettes in Evanston EVANSTON, Ill.: An ordinance banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone younger than 21 took effect in Evanston, making the health-conscious Chicago suburb the first city in Illinois to do so.

The ordinance is aimed at curbing teen smoking. Local officials say they realize it will not tamp out smoking by young people, but they want to make it harder for them, WBBM-TV in Chicago reports. ``Instead of walking across the street to get a tobacco product from my retailer, now I have to go to my car and travel somewhere,'' city health official Carl Caneva said. ``That's putting an obstacle in place.''

Dr. Tim Sanborn, a member of Evanston's Health Advisory Council, said 90 percent of smokers start smoking before they turn 21. ``If you can help decrease the risk of those adolescents starting smoking, there's a greater chance they won't smoke when they're adults,'' said Sanborn, a cardiologist on the staff at NorthShore University Health System.

New signs were to be posted in cigarette retailers, announcing the change in law. -AP

Health Science 36 India Post

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Hundreds of kids harmed by detergent 'pods'

November 14, 2014

Details on Page 39

Cuba plans to introduce Ayurveda in medical care, curriculum NEW DELHI: Despite having one of the world's best health-care infrastructure, Cuba wants to introduce Ayurveda in the country's medical system to "prevent" diseases.

"Our former president Fidel

Castro loves alternative medicine.

In Cuba, the most important thing is the people, not money," said Natalia Marzoa Silva, a biologist at the state-owned Finlay Institute in capital Havana.

At the 6th World Ayurveda

Congress held here, Silva was present as a representative from the Central American nation's medical community to begin a dialogue with the government and other agencies over the issue.

"In Cuba, we have all the tools for treating diseases, but we have to improve the preventive system further," Silva said.

"We want to introduce Ayurveda in our country to prevent diseases," Silva, a speaker at the inaugural ceremony of the World Ayurveda Congress, said.

According to Silva, Cuba is facing the threat of a high ratio of diseases and fatalities from cancer and diabetes, with cancer alone forming a whopping 70 per cent of all medical fatalities.

"India can teach us about me-

dicinal plants to fight such diseases. We have the same plants in Cuba, but we don't know how to use them," she said, adding, a bilateral collaboration could create an understanding of the use of medicinal plants.

"We have to learn how to process the herbs. We need the assistance of India for that," she added.

Cuba has a high life expectancy of 76 and is a leading nation in health care and medical education. It recently sent a team of doctors to Africa to fight Ebola.

"The government ensures the right to life of every citizen. Medical care is free (in Cuba)."

Silva who was invited to the World Ayurveda Congress by the

Ayush department of the Union Health Ministry, said her country was keen to promote collaboration to introduce Ayurveda in Cuba.

"I have been assured by the Ayush department that India has

Fidel Castro

all the intention to send Ayurveda specialists to Cuba to teach students in the graduate and postgraduate medical courses," she said. -PTI

Delhi air quality falls due to burning of agri waste NEW DELHI: The air quality in the national capital has deteriorated significantly and experts identified burning of agricultural wastes in neighboring states as one of the major contributors to a visible haze over the city.

As per official data, the air quality in the city has slipped into the category of "poor" following rapid increase of PM2.5 (respirable particles) level.

The Air Quality Index value, calculated on the basis of PM 2.5 level, HAS touched a high of 293 which implies that the air quality is very unhealthy.

The rise in pollution level has also caused breathing-related ailments in the city, as per health experts.

"Burning of agricultural waste is one of the primary contributors to high-level of pollution. Even in the urban areas, waste is being burnt by sweepers. Burning of leaves and waste

is banned under the Environment Act that amounts to seven years of imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine," said Dr Narender Kumar, a Delhi-based environmentalist.

System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), an air quality monitor in the capital, too has linked the

If the capital gets colder in the coming days, the smog situation will intensify," a SAFAR report said.

The pollution levels in the capital have also triggered various lung diseases in the city.

"There has been a sudden increase in the number of asthma

peaking of PM 2.5 to burning of agriculture waste in the bordering states of Punjab and Haryana.

"The winds blowing towards Delhi from the northwest are passing by the area where a lot of agricultural waste is being produced.

patients in the past few weeks.

Though we expect such cases only in mid-December when the cold weather intensifies in the city, many people have visited our clinic complaining breathing troubles, especially children, ba-

bies and senior citizens. Cases of heart and lung infections have also shot up," said Dr V K Saxena who runs a clinic at Rohini, North-west Delhi.

An official of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said both particulate and nonparticulate matters have gone up in the air in the last few days due to variety of reasons.

"While toxic gases like carbon monoxide, methane, hydrocarbon and ozone gases contribute to the non-particulate matters; combustion and burning of fossil fuels are the reasons behind rise in particulate matters. Both the factors have contributed to the rise in pollution levels of the city," he said.

"The condensation of water vapors in the morning leads to fog. When the fog intensifies, smog situation prevails that in turn affects the visibility and leads to health ailments," he explained. -PTI

November 14, 2014

Health Science Post

India Post 37

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Philips Healthcare aims to cover 30,000 beds NEW DELHI: Philips Healthcare is aiming to provide electronic intensive care units (eICU) services in up to 30,000 beds in hospitals of tier II and III cities in the next five years as part of its expansion plans.

An eICU is a form of telemedicine that utilizes state of the art technology to provide an additional layer of critical care service. An eICU support centre can provide care to patients in multiple hospitals.

For the last one year, Philips Healthcare, a division of Philips India, has been providing eICU services to 250 hospital beds in small cities. The company has set up four support/ command centers in hospi-

tals - FMRI in Gurgaon, Apollo in Hyderabad, Medica Superspecialty Hospital in Kolkata and INTeleICU in Chennai.

"India has around 2,00,000 ICU beds.

Potential for is for 300,000 ICU beds in the

Indian-origin doctor summoned over abortion LONDON: In a first-of-its-kind case, an Indian-origin lady doctor in the UK, who was caught on camera agreeing to carry out an abortion based on the sex of the unborn baby, has been ordered to appear in court.

46-year-old Prabha Sivaraman has been served a summon to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court next month to face an allegation under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act. The South Yorkshire-based Indian was one of the two doctors filmed allegedly agreeing to arrange terminations because of the gender of the fetus in an investigation in 2012 by 'The Telegraph' newspaper.

Sivaraman, who worked for private clinics and National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in Manchester at the time of the investigation, was recorded telling a woman, "I don't ask questions. If you want a termination, you want a termination."

It is part of a rare private prosecution brought by a pro-life campaigner and supported by the Christian Legal Centre after the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) against charging Sivaraman.

The document states that Sivaraman faces an allegation of "conspiracy to procure poison to be used with intent to procure abortion" contrary to section 59 of

the Act. A court in Birmingham is due to hold a hearing in January to decide whether to issue a separate summons against Dr Palaniappan Rajmohan.

Rajmohan was filmed at the Calthorpe Clinic in Edgbaston, Birmingham, agreeing

Dr Prabha Sivaraman

to conduct the procedure even though he told the undercover reporter "It's like female infanticide, isn't it?"

It comes just days after British MPs voted overwhelmingly to declare gender abortion illegal following claims that the current law in the UK was unclear on the issue. -PTI

Health officials bringing attention to diabetes CONCORD, N.H.: New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services is bringing attention to diabetes.

In honor of National Diabetes Month, an updated department website is featuring information about prediabetes, having a blood glucose level that's higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

People are more likely to have prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if they are 45 and older; overweight; have a family history of type 2 diabetes; are physically active fewer than three times per week; have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during a pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weigh-

ing more than 9 pounds.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program has a plan in which participants work with a trained lifestyle coach for 16 weeks and learn to eat healthfully, increase their exercise, mange stress, and stay motivated. ``One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,'' said Dr. JosĂŠ Montero, New Hampshire's director of Public Health at the department. ``The National Diabetes Prevention Program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one's peers.'' -AP

next five years. We should be able to do between 7 to 10 per cent of the total ICU beds in next five years," Philips South Asia President - Healthcare Sameer Garde told PTI.

tients are monitored 24X7 through cameras and monitor all the vital information.

If vital condition of patients are changing, then the support centre informs the general medicine person out there. This saves costs for the patients and get best care." eICU facilities are provided The company is also planonly after training nurses and ning to provide strategic technicians, he said, and added advisory services to exist- that such services are provided on revenue share basis. ing hospitals in metros to The official said that Philips modernize their facilities in Healthcare would adopt different strategy for different marthe next five years kets.

"We would continue to focus on large hospitals in the metro To support the expansion of eICUs, the but we would also go to tier II & III places," company would add additional up to six he said. support centers in next two years, he said.

Philips Healthcare is building relationTalking about the opportunities in this ship with tier 2 hospitals to widen portfoarea, Garde said the country has 2,00,000 lio.

ICU beds but qualified intensivists to The company is also planning to promanage the facility are only 500. vide strategic advisory services to exist"The ratio is almost above 1:400. The ing hospitals in metros to modernize their facility is better in metro places," he said, facilities in the next five years, he added. adding that the company would go to tier "There are certain hospitals which have II and III cities besides focusing on large not upgraded quickly... We are helping hospitals in metros. them to make their strategies for IT system Sharing details on how eICU functions, to patient flow, design etc in the next five Garde said, "At the support centre, pa- years," Garde said. -PTI

38 India Post

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Turmeric compound can relieve inflammation WASHINGTON: A drug based on curcumin, a compound found in the humble turmeric, may combat inflammation observed in many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests.

Anecdotal and scientific evidence suggests curcumin promotes health because it lowers inflammation, but it is not absorbed well by the body.

Most curcumin in food or supplements stays in the gastrointestinal tract, and any portion that's absorbed is metabolized quickly.

Nicholas Young, a postdoctoral researcher in rheumatology and immunology at Ohio State and lead author of the study, set out to investigate whether enabling widespread availability of curcumin's biological effects to the entire body could make it useful both therapeutically and as a daily supplement to combat disease.

In the study, curcumin powder was mixed with castor oil and polyethylene glycol in a process

called nano-emulsion, creating fluid teeming with microvesicles that contain curcumin.

This process allows the compound to dissolve and be more easily absorbed by the gut to en-

ter the bloodstream and tissues.

Feeding mice this curcuminbased drug shut down an acute inflammatory reaction by blocking activation of a key protein that triggers the immune response.

The researchers also found that curcumin stops recruitment of specific immune cells that, when overactive, are linked to such problems as heart disease and obesity.

Young and his colleagues now want to know if curcumin in this form can counter the chronic inflammation that is linked to sickness and age-related frailty.

They have started with animal

Ohio to turn over results of breath-alcohol tests COLUMBUS, Ohio: The state Department of Health plans to provide defense attorneys with old test results from alcohol breath-test machines after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that defendants in drunken driving cases can challenge the accuracy of certain tests results, according to records obtained by a newspaper.

The department long argued it would be nearly impossible to turn over years' worth of data from the Intoxilyzer 8000 machines, citing technical and financial hurdles. But records obtained by The Columbus Dispatch indicate the department has informed attorneys that it is creating software to enable that and expects to provide the information by Dec. 1.

Defense lawyers have suggested the information could help prove that the results are inaccurate and the machines are legally unreliable for drunken driving convictions - claims that the state regards as untrue.

The state spent $7 million to buy hundreds of the machines in 2009 for use by law enforcement agencies around the state, but some judges have decided not to

allow test results from the machines as evidence over concerns that they weren't proven scientifically reliable. Some law enforcement agencies in the Akron and Cincinnati areas stopped using the devices after the Supreme Court ruling said.

Ohio law bans challenges to the general reliability of state-approved testing instruments, but the high court ruled last month that defendants can challenge accuracy of specific breath-alcohol results and question whether

specific machines operated properly at the time of a test.

The decision came in the case of man arrested in Cincinnati in 2011 and accused of having a blood-alcohol content of 0.143, well above the legal limit of 0.08.

Attorneys for Daniel Ilg argued there was no evidence to support the Health Department's claim that it didn't have the staff or technology to provide a copy of the database of information from a specific machine, and that doing so could cost $100,000. -AP

studies testing nano-emulsified curcumin's ability to prevent or control inflammation in a lupus model.

"We envision that this nutraceutical could be used one day both as a daily supplement to help prevent certain diseases and as a therapeutic drug to help combat the bad inflammation observed in many diseases," Young said.

The study also found that nano-emulsified curcumin halted the recruitment of immune cells called macrophages that "eat" invading pathogens but also contribute to inflammation by secreting pro-inflammatory chemicals.

Researchers found that in cells isolated from human blood samples, macrophages were stopped in their tracks.

"This macrophage-specific effect of curcumin had not been described before. Because of that finding, we propose nano-emulsified curcumin has the best potential against macrophage-associated inflammation," Young said.

Inflammation triggered by overactive macrophages has been linked to cardiovascular disease, disorders that accompany obesity, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and lupus-related nephritis. -PTI

Vermont's largest hospital getting new name MONTPELIER, Vt.: Vermont's largest hospital is getting a new name designed to reflect its affiliation with the University of Vermont's medical school.

Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington has become the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Parent organization, Fletcher Allen Partners, will become known as The University of Vermont

work emphasizes our academic core and signals that we are working together to provide seamless, high-quality care to the people of our communities, no matter where patients go for services within our network, `` Fletcher Allen President and CEO Dr. John Brumsted said at the time.

The hospital in Burlington, Vermont's first, was founded in 1879 and named Mary Fletcher

The Fletcher Allen Health Care hospital in Burlington, Vt. Vermont’s largest hospital is getting a new name.

Health Network, and three affiliates will add ``The University of Vermont Health Network'' to their names. They are: Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, New York, and the Elizabethtown Community Hospital, also in upstate New York.

Fletcher Allen Partners and the University of Vermont announced the name change in June. The network is designed to integrate health care in northern Vermont and upstate New York. ``Identifying ourselves as The University of Vermont Health Net-

Hospital, after the mother of the woman who helped establish it.

In 1967, it was renamed Medical Center Hospital of Vermont when it merged with Burlington's Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital.

Separately, the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph founded Fanny Allen Hospital in Colchester in 1894, named after the daughter of one of Vermont's founding fathers Ethan Allen.

Fanny Allen nursed wounded soldiers during the War of 1812.

Medical Center Hospital and Fanny Allen Hospital merged in 1995 and became Fletcher Allen Health Care. -AP

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India Post 39

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Hundreds of kids harmed by detergent 'pods' CHICAGO: Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in just two years, researchers report. Coma and seizures were among the most serious complications.

The cases stem from the more than 17,000 poison center calls about the products received in the past two years. The calls involved children younger than 6 and most weren't seriously harmed. But one child died last year and the potential risks highlight a need for even safer packaging, the researchers said.

Some manufacturers already have revised packaging and labels in efforts to make the detergent packets or ``pods'' safer for children. The study found calls dipped slightly after some of those changes were made.

The products contain concentrated liquid laundry soap and became widely available in the U.S. two years ago. Some are

multicolored and may look enticing to young children. Poisoning or injuries including mouth, throat and eye burns can occur when kids burst the capsules or put them in their mouths.

In the study, 144 had eye injuries, 30 went into comas and 12 had seizures.

Exposure to household cleaning products is among the top reasons for calls to poison centers involving young children.

In 2012, detergent packet calls accounted for a fraction - about 6 percent - of the 111,000 calls involving young children and cleaning products, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Many calls involve regular laundry detergent, which can cause mild stomach upsets, but poison center experts say the new concentrated laundry packets seem to cause more severe problems.

Jessica Morin of Houston says her 9month-old daughter, Marlow, was sickened earlier this year when Jessica's grandmother mistook a detergent pod for a teething toy

Nadda has not done anything wrong, says Jaitley NEW DELHI: The government has brushed aside AAP's criticism over appointment of J P Nadda as Health Minister and said the newly inducted minister has no conflict of interest in AIIMS and he has not done anything wrong in seeking the removal of the institute's CVO in public interest.

"J P Nadda as an MP had full authority to write on issues coming before him. Publicmen raise several public issues.

How can a public issue be a conflict of interest," Finance and I&B Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters.

To a query on criticism raised by some on Nadda's appointment, Jaitley shot back, "Who said that he wrote a letter for a wrong cause... Does he have any personal interest in AIIMS?" Jaitley said no one can question the Prime Minister's right to appoint anyone in his Cabinet and the grounds on which he selects his ministers.

"Some junior officer is transferred from one place to another in relation to a controversy in which neither the BJP nor the NDA nor any of our ministers are anyway involved," he said, adding that some people may fit into an organization while some may not.

"As an MP he has exercised his prerogative," he said.

Nadda himself parried questions on the removal of AIIMS Chief Vigilance Officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi. When asked about his reaction to the Aam Aadmi Party's allegations against him, he said "This is a shubh mahurth..."

AAP slammed the Narendra Modi government over Nadda's appointment claiming that he was responsible for controversial removal of the AIIMS CVO. "JP Nadda, the man who got Sanjeev Chaturvedi transferred from AIIMS, made health min? So, now Modiji will remove

Arun Jaitley

corruption in AIIMS through Nadda?"

AAP's National Convener Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.

Another AAP leader Manish Sisodia alleged that Nadda's appointment will lead to increase in corruption and will lead to hike in the cost of health facilities at AIIMS. "Nadda is the person who played an important role in removing honest officials from the Health Ministry... If people like Nadda sit in the Health Ministry, then it is obvious that medicines and health facilities will get costlier and there will be an increase in corruption," charged Sisodia. PTI

and put it in the baby's mouth. ``I called poison control and they said to take her to the ER immediately,'' Morin said. Marlow was repeatedly vomiting and

Laundry detergent packets are held for a photo, in Chicago. Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in just two years, researchers report. Coma and seizures were among the most serious complications.

underwent tests, but doctors at Texas Children's Hospital found no serious damage and she didn't need to stay overnight. ``We were very lucky,'' Morin said. ``We

don't have those pods in our house anymore.''

The researchers examined 2012-13 data from the poison control centers group.

Their study was published online in Pediatrics.

Overall, there were 17,230 poison center calls about young kids getting into the packets, including 769 children who were hospitalized. Dr. Gary Smith, the study's lead author, said his hospital had two recent cases kids who developed breathing problems and required treatment in the intensive care unit. He's director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

The American Cleaning Institute, which represents makers of cleaning products, issued voluntary guidance in March encouraging manufacturers to use labels that prominently list safe handling information.

The cleaning institute said it is also working with manufacturers to educate parents.

But a survey the group released last week suggests many consumers still don't know about the risks.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says children should not be allowed to handle the packets and advises parents to store them out of children's sight and reach. -AP

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B

adami, once a royal capital of the Chalukyas, is now a sleepy town in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The town was known as Vatapi pre viously. It is settled in a valley at the base of a furrowed, red arenaceous rock that rings Agastya lake.

Badami is a place which is full of cave temples, entryways, fortresses, dedications and carvings.

The Chalukyas who had ruled Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh during 6th and 8th centuries had Badami as their capital. The greatest among the Chalukyas was Pulakeshi II who ruled between 610-642 AD. He defeated many kings and Mahendra Verman I, the Pallava king, was one among them. The state was founded by him in 540 AD. The ancient Chalukyas of Badami are accredited with some of the best customs of Dravidian archi-

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November 14, 2014

tecture admitting an observational fuse of older South Indian temple construction and ornamentation and the Nagara mode of North India. This beautiful blend of south and north passed on into the Dravidian temple building pattern.

Badami is the site of the 6th-7th century Brahmanical and Jain cave temples. The temples are cut out of solid rock with elaborate interior decorations that speak volumes of art and architecture of that period. There are four cave temples connected with each other with a flight of stairs.

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Punjab to develop Ranjit Sagar dam for tourism PATHANKOT: The Punjab government wooed a clutch of hoteliers by showcasing them the tourism potential at Ranjit Sagar dam.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal outlined his desire to exploit the Musharba, Kalara and Atharwan islands in the dam by creating five star hotels, resorts and water sports activities around them as he took a round of these islands in a steamer along with hoteliers.

The hoteliers included President Oberoi Group Kapil Chopra, Executive Vice President of ITC Hotels Arun Pathak and Executive Director Mukul Anand, Senior Vice President of Taj Hotels D K Berry, MD Starwood Hotels and Resorts Dilip Puri, The Lalit Hotels Ashish Gawari, Vice President of Lemon Tree Hotels Cyrus Madan.

Besides representative of realty giant DLF group were also present, said an official release here.

During the discussion, MD Starwood Hotels and Resorts Dilip Puri asked Deputy CM the time limit to establish primary infrastructure along with basic amenities. Badal assured the delegates that it would be accomplished by June next year.

Badal asked the Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal to design the concept of master plan by January in tandem with country's top

hoteliers and world-renowned architects so that these islands could be developed as one of the most attractive tourist destinations of the country.

Executive Vice President of ITC Hotels Arun Pathak asked about the proposed infrastructure facilities for industrialists willing to set up their resorts and hotels.

Badal said Punjab would provide ultra modern infrastructure facilities right from 6-lane road network from Pathankot Airport to

Phagonta, uninterrupted power supply with all clearances and

Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna assured the industry fulsome cooperation from Punjab and Center to establish this belt as most attractive tourist hub.

Uttarakhand passes Rs 100 cr proposals for tourism DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has approved proposals worth Rs 100 crore related to tourism infrastructure, including renovation of forts at Almora and Chamoli.

The approval was given at the 7th state-level committee meeting of Infrastructure Development and Investment Program for Tourism (IDIPT).

Presiding over the meeting, Chief Secretary N Ravishankar said the forts at Almora and Chamoli will be renovated and developed as heritage sites, according to an official statement.

'Kanwad' routes will be developed in Haridwar to provide improved facilities to pilgrims and tourists.

Toilet complexes, safety walls

around canals and footpaths will be built for Shiva devotees, besides developing a robust waste disposal, lighting and drainage system with an investment of Rs 24 crore, the Chief Secretary said at the meeting.

Besides this, Rs 3 crore will be provided to Durgadhar Temple and Rs 2 crore to Tungeshwar Temple for development.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma, Secretary Tourism Umakant Panwar, Secretary Urban Development D S Garbyal and Executive Director IDIPT Shailesh Bagoli, the statement added. -PTI

NOCs within a month on a single application.

Referring to environmental and pollution clearances, Badal said Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion has been formed for instant delivery of clearances pertaining to all departments.

He said to exploit enormous tourism potential of sub-mountain regions along Shivalik Hills, state has already constituted a Shivalik (Dauldhar) Tourism Development Board and its CEO has been au-

thorized to approve conceptual designs, investment proposals and necessary clearances at the earliest.

Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna assured the industry fulsome cooperation from Punjab and Center to establish this belt as most attractive tourist hub.

He said he was also keen to invite film industry here to make them aware about the natural beauty of Shivalik Ranges falling adjoining Ranjit Sagar Dam. -PTI

Centre to help Rajasthan for Jaisalmer infrastructure

JAISALMER: The Centre would extend all possible help to the Rajasthan government in developing facilities and infrastructure of famous tourist destination of Jaisalmer, a senior official has said.

Tourism promotion is one of the top priorities of the Centre and it

would provide all assistance to the state for the development of Jaisalmer, Tourism Secretary Lalit K Panwar said.

Panwar, who was felicitated by tourism trade stakeholders here, assured that he would try to get the civil airport operational in order to improve connectivity. -PTI

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BADAMI

Site of Brahmanical and Jain cave temples Cont’d from page 40

People of Badami speak Kannada, Hindi and English. Their attire is traditional Indian cotton wear. It is a place for tourists who are interested in temples, art and architecture.

ATTRACTIONS Badami Fort: During the 18th century when Tipu Sultan visited Badami, he was so impressed with the place that he ordered to build

ments and sculptures which date between 6th to 16th century AD. Cave Temples: There are in all four cave temples in Badami. They are carved from a hill which is opposite the fort of Badami. Three caves represent the Brahmanical style. The fourth one follows the Jain style. Nearly 2000 steps should be climbed in order to reach the cave.

Durga Temple: The bestknown temple in Aihole, Durga Temple dates back to the time of

Badami Cave Temple

a fort immediately on top of the hills.

Glorious shanks were laid at advantage points to fight the Marathas. The shanks are beautiful, aerodynamic, smooth and hard.

Open Air Museum: The museum is situated at the foothills of the northern hill which contains the northern fort. It was instituted in 1979. The museum mainly constitutes prehistorical stone equip-

Chalukya dynasty between 7th and 8th century. The name "Durga" does not refer to the Goddess but to a fort near the temple.

Predominantly built in Dravidian style of architecture with a combination of Nagara style in certain areas, this temple is one among of

the unique and spectacular structures constructed during Chalukyan period.

Lad Khan Temple: Regarded as one of the oldest temples in Aihole, Lad Khan Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Dating back to the 5th during the kings of Chalukya Dynasty, the temple lies on the south of Durga Temple, which another popular religious site in Aihole. It was named after a Muslim prince,

who lived here for a short while.

The temple has a panchayat hall style of architecture, which shows an early experiment of temple construction.

Sangameshwara temple: Built

by Chalukya King Vijayaditya, Sangameshwara Temple in Pattadakal is one of the oldest temples in Karnataka. This Dravidian style temple was earlier known as Vijayeswara temple. It comprises an inner passage, a hall and a Sanctum. The outer wall of the temple consists of the structures of Ugranarasimha and

Nataraja. However, the hall and the roof of the Sangameshwara Temple are of similar design with the wellknown Virupaksha Temple.

Aihole: Aihole is a historical place and is known as the birthplace of Hindu stone architecture.

It is a town in the Bagalkot district in Karnataka, located on the west side of Badami and has more than 125 temples in all. It is a very famous tourist spot. Aihole is known as the playground of architecture.

Pattadakkal: Pattadakkal is a World Heritage Center and is 29 km away from Badami. It is located on the left bank of the river Malaprabha. The Chalukya period was the golden era of Pattadakkal which was during the 7th and 8th centuries.

The best time to visit the place is from September to February.

HOW TO REACH

By Train: Nearest major railhead is Hubli, which is about 100 km away. There is a small station near Badami which is about 5 km from the heart of the city.

By Air: The nearest airport to Badami is Belgaum, which is about 190 km away. Belgaum is connected to Mumbai by domestic flights.

By Bus: Badami is connected by state transport KSRTC to Hubli and Bijapur. Tourist buses are available from Bangalore to Badami daily.

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NZ expects 33% more Indians 5 free things in Maryland just outside DC for World Cup MUMBAI: Tourism New Zealand is eyeing a massive 33 per cent growth in Indian travelers to the island Pacific nation this fiscal as it expects an influx of visitors for the World Cup Cricket it is cohosting with Australia in February and March.

"Last year we did about 30,000

years.

"The World Cup will improve our profile as a leading tourism destination. Not everyone visiting New Zealand would be doing it for the World Cup. For the tournament we expect 5,000-10,000 if India does," Craig said.

On the profile of Indians visit-

visitors. It is growing quite quickly. We expect about 40,000 visitors when our fiscal year ends in June," Tourism New Zealand general manager Asia David Craig told PTI here.

The island nation expects a large chunk of visitors during the World Cup and hopes that it would provide a fillip in subsequent

ing New Zealand, he said the young (18-29 years) are the adventurers and travel from OctoberDecember, and with the honeymooners are a subset of this segment) and the families market normally come down during the AprilJune quarter.

In the fiscal year ended June 2013, nearly 30,000 Indians visited

AI to have more flights for Goa for Russian tourists

NEW DELHI: To cater to a growing number of Russian tourists heading for Goa during the busy holiday season, Air India has announced connecting the popular tourist destination with Moscow through Delhi with four flights a week on the sector.

The flight (AI-155) operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on the route GoaDelhi-Moscow, while the return flight AI-156 operates on Tues-

days, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, an Air India spokesman said.

While the Goa-Delhi leg is operated daily with an Airbus A-319 aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner operates on the Delhi-Moscow leg on the four days.

This flight would offer additional capacity to meet the demand for the forthcoming holiday season, the spokesman said. -PTI

the Pacific islands, Craig said, adding this year they are also looking at business travelers to drive growth as it focuses on the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) segment too, which is comparatively small from an India perspective with around 1,500 visitors a year.

When asked how India is placed among other visitors, Craig said the country ranks 10th in terms of visitors. He said Tourism New Zealand spends around NZD (New Zealand dollar) 4 million (around Rs 19 crore) in India each year for promotion.

"India ranks 10th at the moment, but the rate of growth from this market is faster than any other market amongst the top 10 with annual growth being about 17 per cent," he said, adding NZ gets about 1.1 million visitors from Australia and about a quarter of million from China. -PTI

Yellowstone reports record number of visitors YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo: Yellowstone National Park is reporting a record high number of visitors in October.

Just over 194,800 visited the park in October, surpassing the previous October record of over 189,000 set in 2010.

There were over 3.4 million recreational visits to Yellowstone in first ten months of 2014, an increase of over 10 percent over the same period last year.

With two months left in the calendar year, 2014 is already the second highest visitation year on record. The park's peak year was 2010, when there were over 3.6 million visitors. -AP

SILVER SPRING, Md.: In the past 20 years, the Maryland suburbs just outside Washington, D.C., have boomed, and that population growth has been accompanied by development and even tourists.

Now when folks visit Washington, they may choose to stay in hotels just outside the capital in Silver Spring, Rockville or Bethesda, cities in Maryland that are all connected to Washington by Metro.

And for visitors who've already checked off Washington's museums and monuments, the Maryland suburbs have much to offer on their own: lively downtowns, parks, historic sites and attractions connected to government agencies, like a NASA visitors center and a museum where you can see the bullet that killed Abe Lincoln.

Best of all, many are free.

GREENBELT: NASAAND FDR The town of Greenbelt in Prince George's County has two spots of interest: the historic Greenbelt community built by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration, and Goddard Visitor Center, located at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

The visitor center offers interactive exhibits on Goddard-built spacecraft and satellite communications, including a large-scale model of the lunar reconnaissance orbiter and a Gemini space capsule, and an outdoor rocket garden.

Don't miss the theater with ``Science on a Sphere,'' a brightly lit 3-D spherical surface, 6 feet (2 meters) in diameter, which plays colorful short films on a range of planetary and earth science topics.

Nearby is the historic planned community of Greenbelt, built in the 1930s by FDR's Resettlement Administration. The model town was filled with playgrounds and cultural centers. Inner walkways away from cars allowed children to safely walk to school, and the retail district today includes the New Deal Cafe.

Outside the community center, white stone friezes depict values set forth in the preamble to the Constitution, while inside you'll find vintage photos and a small exhibit on the town's history.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HEALTHAND MEDICINE This museum in Silver Spring, part of the Department of Defense, is the successor to a previous institution called the Army Medical Museum. Glass cases display the bullet that killed President Lincoln, along with skulls, prosthetic limbs, a giant hairball removed from a stomach, and preserved body parts that were noteworthy due to disease or injury. One soldier vis-

ited his amputated leg each year on the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg where he was injured.

Other stories told through videos and displays include a look at trauma care for soldiers wounded in Iraq and the 1918 flu pandemic.

Be sure to catch the vintage antigerm posters in the restrooms.

GLEN ECHO This site was first developed in the late 19th century as a Chautauqua community, part of a movement to create planned towns with a focus on culture and education. The community failed and the land was turned into an amusement park.

The park closed in 1968 but the amusement pavilions have been preserved, and today Glen Echo is a National Park historic site run with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for the Arts and Culture/Montgomery County. Some buildings now house artists' studios where you can watch glassblowing, learn about jewelry-making or take a class.

Other pavilions are used for their original purpose, like a dance hall and a carousel with carved animals that include an ostrich and a lion. You'll also find signs documenting civil rights protests held here in 1960 because the park was a segregated facility.

Also in Glen Echo is the house where American Red Cross founder Clara Barton lived. Known as the Angel of the Battlefield for her work during the Civil War, Barton was invited to live in Glen Echo by the Chautauqua developers, who hoped a resident celebrity would attract others.

The house closes indefinitely in early 2015 for renovations, but free tours are offered until then telling Barton's story. (Check http:/ /www.nps.gov/clba/ for dates and hours.) Be sure to see the red-andwhite stained glass windows depicting a red cross.

BROOKSIDE GARDENS This serene park in Wheaton includes formal gardens, wooded paths and grounds, and a pond landscaped with a Japanese sensibility. There's also an indoor conservatory and a children's education and play area.

DOWNTOWN BETHESDA Bethesda's busy downtown offers upscale retail stores and dozens of interesting restaurants.

Among them: an outpost of Georgetown Cupcake, made famous in a TLC series called ``DC Cupcakes.'' Bethesda's sidewalks are always filled with shoppers and pedestrians, and while it will cost you a couple of bucks to try a cupcake, there's plenty of outdoor seating where you can relax and people-watch for free. -AP

In Brief Palestinian activist guilty in immigration case DETROIT: A federal jury in Detroit has found a Palestinian immigrant guilty of failing to tell immigration authorities about her conviction and imprisonment in a fatal Jerusalem supermarket bombing.

The jury reached its verdict in the trial of Rasmieh Yousef Odeh.

She was charged with immigration fraud for not revealing an Israeli military court conviction for several bombings in 1969.

She served 10 years before being released in a prisoner swap with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The 67-year-old Odeh is associate director of Chicago's Arab American Action Network. She says she thought the question in the 2004 citizenship application referred to convictions under US law.

She also says Israeli authorities tortured her to get a confession.

The judge in Detroit barred reference to that at trial. -AP

„ Immigrant who hid in US church temporarily freed PORTLAND, Oregon: An immigrant activist who took refuge at an Oregon church to avoid deportation and was arrested on a federal charge of illegal re-entry has been temporarily released on a federal judge's order.

Judge Janice Stewart ordered Francisco Aguirre to be released while he's awaiting the start of his trial on Jan. 13. Aguirre pleaded not guilty to the charge in court.

Aguirre's supporters confirmed that he had been released and was returning to Portland's Augustana Lutheran Church, his refuge since September.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed the agency has lifted its detainer on Aguirre, meaning his removal from the U.S. is on hold pending the outcome of his criminal case.

Aguirre, who came to the U.S. from El Salvador nearly two decades ago, was arrested at a county court. He was there to settle a case of driving under the influence.

The federal arrest stems from a past criminal case: Aguirre was deported in 2000 after a drug conviction; he then unlawfully re-entered the country.

Records show Aguirre was indicted by a grand jury in September on the illegal re-entry charge.

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District Court ruling reversed in Fogo case Details on page 46

White House and Republican leadership spar WASHINGTON: Within days of Republicans gaining hold of the US Congress, the White House and Grand Old Party leadership appeared to be headed for confrontation over the crucial immigration reforms.

The White House yesterday said that President Obama is all set to take executive actions before the year-end to fix the broken immigration reform.

"The President made a promise that he's going to ask on immigration reform before the end of the year, and that's exactly what he's going to do," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

He, however, did not give any details of the forthcoming executive actions.

An estimated 11.7 million illegal immigrants, including several thousand Indians, were living in the US currently.

The Republican leadership, however, warned the White House against any such move.

Issuing a stern warning, Speaker of the House of Representative John Boehner said "Obama is going to burn himself" and "poison the well" if he goes down that

path.

"The Speaker warned that unilateral action by the President on executive amnesty will erase any chances of doing immigration reform and will also make it harder

Obama yesterday.

During the meeting, top Republican Senator John Cornyn "made clear to the President that we should tackle immigration reform together on a step-by-step ba-

President Obama meets with congressional leaders, including House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House

for Congress and the White House to work together successfully on other areas where there might otherwise be common ground," said a statement issued by his office after Boehner met

sis, beginning with border security and respect for the rule of law."

Unfortunately the President's promise to unilaterally go around Congress ignores the message

voters sent on Election Day, he said.

"It is my sincere hope that he will reverse course and work with us ? not around us ? to secure the border and achieve real reforms to our immigration system," Cornyn said.

The White House appeared unfazed by the warning from Boehner and other Republican leaders.

"The one trump card that continues to exist is that House Republicans, if they want to prevent the president from taking executive action, could just bring up the compromise bipartisan Senate bill for a vote.

The President would happily sign that into law instead of signing any executive actions on immigration reform," Earnest said.

Senate has already passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill, which has been blocked by the Republican controlled House of Representatives.

Now that the Republicans enjoy majority in the Senate after Tuesday's elections, the chances of immigration reform passing through the Congress is slim. -PTI

AG pick Lynch called strong civil rights defender WASHINGTON: Loretta Lynch was a federal prosecutor in New York when she encountered an astonishing case of police brutality: the broomstick sodomy of a Haitian immigrant in a precinct bathroom.

The 1997 assault on Abner Louima set off street protests, frayed race relations and led to one of the most important federal civil rights cases of the past two decades. Lynch was a key part of the team that prosecuted officers accused in the beating or of covering it up.

President Barack Obama's nomination of Lynch to be attorney general comes as the department she would take over continues to investigate the police shooting of an unarmed black 18year-old in Ferguson, Missouri and seems partly intended to convey the message that police misconduct and civil rights will remain principal focus even after

the departure of Eric Holder.

If confirmed by the Senate, Lynch would be the first black woman in the job and would follow

it's her involvement some 15 years ago in the Louima prosecution that gave her experience that is in step with a core priority of the depart-

President Barack Obama listens at right as US Attorney Loretta Lynch speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington

the first black attorney general.

Lynch has overseen corruption, terrorism and gang cases. But

ment. ``It is certainly significant that she has a personal history of in-

volvement in prosecuting police misconduct,'' said Samuel Bagenstos, the former No. 2 official in the department's civil rights division. ``Obviously that will be helpful, and probably suggests that police misconduct cases will continue to be a priority of the Lynch Justice Department just as they were with the Holder Justice Department.

Lawyers say Obama likely selected Lynch, 55, the current U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, on the strength of a varied career and stature within the department. ``She has spent years in the trenches as a prosecutor, aggressively fighting terrorism, financial fraud, cyber crime, all while vigorously defending civil rights,'' Obama said in introducing Lynch at the White House ceremony.

Cont'd on Page 46

Immigration Post

November 14, 2014

India Post 45

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Another Arizona immigration law struck down PHOENIX: Arizona's frustrations over federal enforcement of the state's border with Mexico spawned a movement nearly a decade ago to have local police confront illegal immigration. Now, the state's experiment in immigration enforcement is falling apart in the courts.

A ruling that struck down the state's 2005 immigrant smuggling law marks the latest in a string of restrictions placed by the courts on Arizona's effort to get local police to take action on people living in the U.S. illegally. The smuggling law, like similar state statutes, was tossed because a judge concluded it conflicted with the federal government's immigration powers. ``There may be some broad sympathy within a constituency for these laws, but that constituency isn't enough to overcome the problems those laws pose,'' said Peter Spiro, a Temple University law professor who specializes in immigration law.

For years in Arizona, many officials resisted suggestions that local and state police agencies confront illegal immigration, long considered the sole province of the federal government. But the notion gained political traction as voters grew frustrated over the state's status as the nation's thenbusiest immigrant smuggling hub and over what critics said was inadequate border protection by Washington.

A small number of the state's immigration laws have been up-

held, including a key section of Arizona's landmark 2010 immigration enforcement law that requires police to check people's immigration status under certain circumstances. But the courts have slowly dismantled other Arizona laws and policies.

U.S. District Judge Susan

2,000 immigrants who paid to be sneaked into the country were charged with conspiring to smuggle themselves across the border. Critics said the law was intended for the smugglers, not their customers.

Jonathan Paton, a former Republican lawmaker from Tucson

ing that the sheriff vigorously disputes.

This summer, a federal appeals court ruled the state cannot deny driver's licenses to young immigrants who are allowed to stay in the U.S. under a 2012 Obama administration policy.

Three weeks ago, an appeals court struck down a 2006 voterapproved law that denies bail to immigrants who are in the country illegally and have been charged with a range of felonies that include shoplifting, aggravated identity theft, sexual assault and murder.

County officials are appealing that decision, and the U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily put the ruling on hold until it decides whether to delay implementation of the decision on a more longterm basis. -AP

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

Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer speaks at a news conference in Phoenix. A federal judge has struck down Arizona's 2005 immigrant smuggling law on the grounds that it's trumped by federal statutes.

Bolton threw out the smuggling law as part of the Obama administration's challenge of the state's 2010 immigration law, which made a minor change to the 2005 statute. The dispute over the smuggling law is all that remains of the administration's challenge of the 2010 law.

The smuggling law came under heavy criticism after more than

who was one of the smuggling law's top sponsors, said the Obama administration's efforts to overturn the smuggling statute is evidence that Washington doesn't care about Arizona's problems. ``It basically shows this administration has no intention to enforce its own laws or let the state enforce its laws,'' Paton said.

The U.S. Justice Department,

Canada plans to ban polygamist immigrants OTTAWA: Canada's Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has unveiled plans to ban entry to migrants who practice polygamy and what he termed "barbaric cultural practices."

The move follows a spate of socalled "honor" killings over the past decade involving immigrant families from the Middle East and South Asia.

"We are strengthening our laws to protect Canadians and newcomers to Canada from barbaric cul-

which pressed the challenge on behalf of the Obama administration, issued a statement saying it was pleased with the ruling.

The smuggling law had been used frequently in Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's trademark immigration efforts, though the courts have curbed his immigration powers during the last 17 months. ``I will wait to see what the outcome of this case will be,'' Arpaio said in a statement.

During the past 18 months, Arizona has seen a growing list of its immigration laws and policies that have been rejected by the courts.

A federal judge ruled that Arpaio's office, which made immigration enforcement one of its top priorities, systematically racially profiled Latinos in its immigration and regular traffic patrols - a find-

tural practices," Alexander said in a statement.

"We are sending a strong message to those in Canada and those who wish to come to Canada that we will not tolerate cultural traditions in Canada that deprive individuals of their human rights."

The sweeping changes to Canada's immigration act would also prohibit forced marriages, set a minimum age for marriage at 16 and limit possible defenses in "honor" killings and many spou-

sal murders.

In "honor" killings, carried out to protect what is seen as family pride, reasons for disapproval can include having relationships outside of one's caste or religion.

In May, a court ordered the mother and uncle of a Canadian woman allegedly killed overseas over her secret marriage to a poor rickshaw driver to be extradited to India to face prosecution for murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the 14-year-old case. -AFP

Former Assistant StateÂ’s Attorney

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

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District Court ruling reversed in Fogo case CYRUS D. MEHTA

T

he U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Colum bia Circuit recently reversed and remanded the district court's grant of summary judgment to the government in Fogo de Chao (Holdings) Inc. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The court noted that Fogo de Chao owns numerous Brazilian steakhouses that focus on the churrasco, a traditional festive style of preparing and serving meat derived from the gaucho culture of the Rio Grande do Sul region of southern Brazil. Following its success in Brazil, Fogo de Chao entered the U.S. market in 1997 and now has restaurants in 16 cities in the United States.

From 1997 to 2006, the Department of Homeland Security granted Fogo de Chao more than 200 L-1B visas for its churrasqueiro chefs to work in its

U.S. restaurants. In 2010, Fogo de Chao sought to transfer another such chef, Rones Gasparetto, to the United States, reasoning that his distinctive cultural background and extensive experience cooking and serving meals in the churrasco style constituted "specialized

ized knowledge as a matter of law.

The D.C. Circuit held that it was unable to discern either a "sufficiently reasoned path" in the AAO's strict bar against culturally based skills or "substantial evidence supporting its factual finding" that Mr. Gasparetto did not

The court did not find the government's arguments persuasive and agreed with Fogo de Chao that the agency's conclusion regarding the categorical irrelevance of culturally acquired knowledge was insufficiently reasoned to be sustained. knowledge."

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) concluded, however, that Mr. Gasparetto's cultural background, knowledge, and training did not constitute special-

complete the company training program. The court also referred to the government's dismissal of Fogo de Chao's argument that it would suffer economic hardship if it had to train another employee

to perform the chef's duties.

The court noted: "Consideration of evidence of this type provides some predictability to a comparative analysis otherwise relatively devoid of settled guideposts‌.That specialized knowledge may ultimately be a 'relative and empty idea which cannot have plain meaning'...is not a feature to be celebrated and certainly not a license for the government to apply a sliding scale of specialness that varies from petition to petition without explanation.

Suddenly departing from policy guidance and rejecting outright the relevance of Fogo de Chao's evidence of economic inconvenience threatens just that."

The appeals court generally noted, among other things, that deference is generally due to an agency's interpretation of a stat-

ute it administers and its own implementing regulations. No deference was due here, however, because the agency's "specialized knowledge" regulation merely restated the statute and added nothing of its own in which to ground an interpretation to which a court might defer.

The AAO's decision, and any legal interpretations contained within it, "were the product of informal adjudication within [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] rather than a formal adjudication or notice-and-comment rulemaking."

Finally, the court did not find the government's arguments persuasive and agreed with Fogo de Chao that the agency's conclusion regarding the categorical irrelevance of culturally acquired knowledge was insufficiently reasoned to be sustained.

AG pick Lynch called strong civil rights defender Cont'd from Page 44

He said her prosecution of the officers in the Louima case was ``one of her proudest achievements.''

But there's also no doubt that selecting someone with civil rights experience could reaffirm the government's commitment to that cause. That figures to be an especially important signal to send as community members in Ferguson brace for the real prospect that state and federal investigations into the shooting death of Michael Brown will close without criminal charges.

Holder has said he expects his federal investigation to conclude before he resigns, but Lynch would inherit a civil rights probe into the practices of the entire Ferguson Police Department.

That investigation is one of roughly 20 that the Justice Department has initiated into troubled police departments in the past five years, more than twice the number undertaken in the five years before that. Those cases are part of a broader civil rights push - challenging strict state voter identification laws and promoting changes in how federal prosecutors negotiate sentences - likely to help shape Holder's legacy.

Holder's supporters will expect Lynch to continue that work, though her experience in two different stints as U.S. attorney goes well beyond that.

She was the top federal pros-

ecutor for Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Staten Island during the 2012 conviction of Najibullah Zazi for a foiled plot to bomb the city's subway system.

Her office successfully prosecuted a New York state assemblyman caught accepting bribes in a sting operation, charged the head of a Mexican drug cartel with 12 murders and, more recently, filed tax evasion charges against Republican Rep. Michael Grimm, who won re-election this month.

She also worked closely with Jus-

Lynch and the prosecution team hammered the officers for hiding behind a ``blue wall of silence.'' ``Don't let these defendants push us back to the day when police officers could beat people with impunity, and arrest people for no reason and lie about it to cover it up,'' she told jurors at one point.

Alan Vinegrad, who succeeded Lynch as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District and worked on the Louima case with her, recalled her as diligent and thorough prosecutor who made

run the office.

Lynch, who grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, ``rode on her father's shoulders to his church, where students would meet to organize anti-segregation boycotts,'' Obama said. ``She was inspired by stories about her grandfather, a share-

Immigrant who hid in US church temporarily freed Cont'd from Page 44

``Don't let these defendants push us back to the day when police officers could beat people with impunity, and arrest people for no reason and lie about it to cover it up,'' she told jurors tice Department leaders by heading a U.S. attorneys committee that advises Holder on policy.

But it was the case of Louima, tortured with a broken broomstick on a bathroom floor, that elevated her profile as a trial attorney. In a Senate questionnaire for the job of U.S. attorney, she placed the case second behind only a sexual harassment matter involving a city councilman - in a list of the most significant cases she directly handled.

During the first trial in 1999, which ended with mixed verdicts,

a compelling final argument to the jury. ``She had to get up and respond to all the arguments of five different lawyers made over a day about why all their clients were not guilty of anything,'' Vinegrad said. ``She had to pretty quickly decide, `OK, what are the important arguments. How do I respond to them persuasively?'''

Lynch was as U.S. attorney from 1999 to 2001, as the Louima case slogged through the courts on appeals and new trials. She left for private practice before being nominated again in 2010 to

cropper in the 1930s, who helped folks in his community who got in trouble with the law and had no recourse under the Jim Crow system.''

The president said Lynch ``has spent her life fighting for fair and equal justice that is the foundation of our democracy.'' -AP

Aguirre, 35, came to the attention of authorities in August after a driving under the influence arrest. He took refuge at Augustana Lutheran Church in September, after authorities tried to detain him at home. The agents did not have a warrant, so they could not enter his home.

Aguirre is among those who have taken sanctuary in U.S. churches in recent years because authorities generally don't make arrests in places of worship.

The father of two children who are U.S. citizens is now the coordinator of a Portland nonprofit that runs a day labor center. His supporters, who include Portland's mayor, say Aguirre has positively contributed to his community during the past decade and should be allowed to remain in the U.S. with his family.

A crowd of supporters packed

Portland's federal magistrate's court to capacity. Aguirre's wife, Dora Reyna, wiped away tears in the front row when Aguirre walked in wearing blue jail scrubs.

His attorney, Ellen Pitcher, said Aguirre had been ``kidnapped, tortured, and otherwise abused as a child'' in his country of birth, and had ``no intention of taking flight to El Salvador.''

Aguirre's release conditions include a ban on travel outside Oregon, a ban on changing his place of residence, and surrender of all travel documents.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Nyhus, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.

Aguirre's immigration lawyer, Stephen Manning, had said Aguirre was in the process of obtaining a U-visa, a special document for violent-crime victims who help authorities investigate or prosecute cases. -AP

Datebook

November 14, 2014

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK Upcoming

Upcoming San, Nov 16 • Journey : Live Music Concert

by Gandhar and Save Indian Venue: Wardlaw Hartridge School, 1295 Inman Ave, Edison, NJ 08820 Time: 5:00 pm

Sat, Dec 06

Sat, Nov 15 • Runway Princess 2014 Venue: Hotel Pennsylvania, 33rd St. & 7th Ave., Madison Square Garden, NY 10007 Time : 07:00 pm Contact: 732-310-3456

• EduCare 2014 Annual Benefit Gala and Ms

Sat, Nov 15 • Dj Rekha Presents Basement

Venue: Deewan Banquet Hall, 560 Stelton Rd, Piscataway Township, NJ 08854 Time: 8:30 pm Contact: 732-910-7498

Venue: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012 Time : 7:00 pm

Sat, Dec 13 • Adi Sakthi Venue: East Brunswick High School Auditorium, 380 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Time : 04:00 pm Contact: 732-801-4814

Bhangra

Fri, Dec 5 • December Madness Venue: Mixx Lounge, 160 Adams Ave, Hauppauge, NY 11788 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 516-336-9042

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Nov 9, 16, 23, 30 • Sat, July 12

• Vivekananda Vedanta Society

Chicago

Swami Ishatmananda: Why We Should Meditate: Yoga Aphorisms Tuesdays: Swami Ishatmananda Fridays: Swami Varadananda Venue: 14630 Lemont Road Homer Glen, IL 60491 Time: 7:30 pm Shivanama Sankirtan Time: 06:30pm Contact : chicagovedanta.org

Sun, Dec 7 • Carnatic Vocal Concert By Smt Hema Sista Venue: Rancho Rinconada Parks and Recreation, 18000 Chelmsford Dr, Cupertino, CA 95014 Time: 4:15 pm.

Contact: 408-569-0860

Wec, Dec 31 • BATA Membership Venue: Bay Area Telugu Association,

Sat, Nov 15 • Jhalak Dreams 2014 - From

39120 Argonaut Way, Fremont, CA 94538

Venue: Silver Creek High Auditorium, 3434 Silver Creek Rd, San Jose, CA 95121 Time: 01:00 pm Contact: 408-238-4034

Contact: 408-242-5111

Tradition To Innovation

Sat, Nov 15 • Bollywood Affair Venue: Chakra Restaurant and Lounge, 151 S Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Timet: 9:30 pm Contact: 843-503-2133

Nov 1, 6-8, 13-15 • Ohlone College Dept. of

Theatre & Dance presents Dracula Directed by Michael Navarra

Time: 11:50 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming Sat, Nov 15 • Chhora Ganga Kinare Wala Venue: Ashland High School, 65 East Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721 Time: 05:30 pm Contact: 978-726-4095

Sat, Nov 22 • 11 th Annual Boston Bhangra Competition

Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont Timet: 8:00 pm Contact: smithcenter.com.

Venue: Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Pl, Boston, MA 02108 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 617-448-25088

Sun, Nov 16 • Red Carpet Wedding Show

Sat, Dec 6 • Maadhurya - A Grand Evening of Dance and Music

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

Venue: Ashland High School, 65 East Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721 Time: 3:30 am Contact: 978-206-1486

ILLINOIS Upcoming • J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

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

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Perspective

November 14, 2014

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Deep voter pessimism and lack of economic agenda

A

merican voters remain deeply pessimistic about their own economic prospects and those of the country as a whole and distrust all major institutions of government, including the president, Congress, and both major political parties. As a result, the 2014 elections mark the third consecutive midterm election in which voters turned against the incumbent party to flip partisan control of one branch of Congress.

In this election cycle, the Republican Party successfully mobilized discontent with President Barack Obama and the state of the economy to pick up at least seven seats for a minimum 52-seat majority. Democratic-held seats that went to Republicans include Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia, with Louisiana going to a runoff. The GOP solidified

RUY TEIXEIRA & JOHN HALPIN

and divided government, with Republicans holding distinct advantages in mobilizing their coalition in many statewide and local contests and Democrats having a seemingly firm grip on presidential politics.

The longer-term demographic and geographic shifts that are rapidly changing American society have yet to coalesce into clear partisan majorities across multiple levels of government.

Given the seemingly intractable economic difficulties facing American families, as well as voters' distrust of the government's ability to address these problems, this lack of strong partisan control of American politics means we should expect more wild shifts between election cycles and more divided government and gridlock.

Why did the Republicans do so well in 2014?

A combination of factors con-

Neither the President himself nor his signature policies, such as the Affordable Care Act, appear to have played an outsized role in voting. Only one-third of midterm voters said that their vote was "to express opposition to Barack Obama," while a plurality-45 percentsaid President Obama was not a factor its hold on the U.S. House of Representatives, picking up at least 14 more seats for a commanding 243seat majority so far. It also added three more governorships to its ranks, for a total of 31 states with Republican governors.

The loss of Senate control was largely expected given the difficult task Democrats faced this year: In order to keep their majority in the Senate, they needed to hold seats in Republican-leaning states whose voting bases were more conservative, older, and less diverse. But the GOP's hold on the Senate remains tenuous, with the party facing the prospect of defending 24 Senate seats versus 10 for the Democrats in the 2016 presidential election year.

As longtime political journalist Ronald Brownstein notes, as of the 2014 results, neither party has successfully held control of the U.S. Senate for more than eight years since 1980-a trend Republicans will surely need to keep in mind as they organize their agenda going forward.

American politics has entered a long phase of electoral volatility

tributed to the GOP's victories.

First, incumbent parties nearly always lose seats in midterm elections, especially in the middle of a president's second term. Second, the electoral map in 2014 manifestly favored the GOP from the start-as was long known.

Five of the seven GOP gains came from states that voted for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) in 2012; Colorado and Iowa are the exceptions. Third, the Democrats suffered from poor turnout of their key supporters.

Indeed, this drop-off has reached historic levels.

Finally, and critically, the 2014 national exit poll highlights the extent to which voter pessimism, fear, and anxieties about the economic future benefited Republicans despite the party's abysmal ratings in Congress.

Keeping in mind that no one exit poll explains voting trends that develop over time, it is notable that 65 percent of 2014 voters said the country was "seriously off on the wrong track," and 69 percent of this bloc voted Republican.

Seventy percent of voters rated

the national economy as "not so good" or "poor," and 64 percent of them voted Republican. Fiftynine percent of 2014 voters believe economic conditions are "poor and staying the same" or "getting worse," and more than 6 in 10 of these voters chose Republicans.

2014 ELECTIONS Despite clear signs of economic recovery in the aggregate, many American voters heading into the polls this year were not feeling improvements in terms of their own jobs, wages, and benefits and subsequently took it out in force against the president's party.

Absent any clear or far-reaching national agenda and message to address people's real economic concerns about jobs, wages, and opportunity, the Democrats essentially ceded control of the national campaign, opting to try their luck with a series of localized and targeted campaigns.

Outside of important victories on minimum-wage ballot initiatives in five states and paid sick days in Massachusetts, this strategy produced little in partisan terms for the Democrats.

The GOP similarly lacked a unifying national economic agenda, but given the level of anxiety and anger among voters, it did not appear to play a determining factor in their victories. Both parties will need to do much more to prove they can effectively address voters' overarching economic needs going into 2016.

Notably, neither the President himself nor his signature policies, such as the Affordable Care Act, appear to have played an outsized role in voting. Only one-third of midterm voters said that their vote was "to express opposition to Barack Obama," while a plurality45 percent-said President Obama was not a factor and around onefifth-19 percent-said they voted to support him.

In addition, 48 percent of voters said the 2010 health care bill "went too far," and these voters overwhelmingly chose Republicans, while 46 percent said it "was about right" or "didn't go far enough" to reform the health care system.

Although President Obama served as a powerful symbol of GOP frustration and anger and was certainly a focus of GOP voter mobilization, the midterm itself was not determined primarily by reac-

tions to him.

As both Democrats and Republicans go forward following these results, both parties and any future presidential candidates must find a compelling and convincing way to address voters' ongoing pessimism about the future and the need for more widely sharedand felt-economic gains.

Even with unified control of Congress, Republicans risk falling into a familiar pattern of pursuing legislative tangents and extremist tactics that must be addressed if they want to solidify gains going into 2016. Democrats need to find a way to ensure that the economic recovery since 2008 is reaching more people and that they have significant new ideas post-Obama to improve the lives and financial security of American families.

WHO VOTED? The voters who showed up in 2014 were far different from those who showed up in 2012 but similar to those who propelled the Republicans to their big victory in 2010.

Here are the basic patterns.

Age The 2014 electorate was noticeably light on young voters, who have recently been a very good group for Democrats. About 13 percent of 2014 voters were 18 to 29 years of age, sharply down from their 19 percent share in 2012. This 6-percentage-point drop-off was identical to the drop-off in young voter representation from the 2008

level of 28 percent. Again, this decline is identical to the 3-point drop-off in minority representation between the 2008 and 2010 elections. It is worth noting that the minority drop-offs in both the 2010 and 2014 elections are larger than any drop-off recorded by the exit polls going back to the 1976-1978 period.

Relative to 2012, vote share declined by 1 point among blacks and 2 points among Latinos. Relative to 2010, vote share increased by 1 point among blacks and 1 point among Asians.

Gender Voters in 2014 were 51 percent female, down 2 points from the 53 percent female share in 2012 and 1 point from the 52 percent share in 2010. The drop-off from 2012 to 2014 was equally distributed between unmarried and married women, down to 21 percent and 30 percent of the electorate, respectively.

In sum, this cycle saw a substantially older, whiter, and lessfemale electorate than in 2012. This national pattern replicated itself across most states, including the three purple states where the Democrats lost seats: Colorado, North Carolina, and Iowa.

In Colorado, the minority vote share dropped 1 point; the youth vote share dropped 6 points; and the female vote share dropped 4 points. Remarkably, the latter shift made Colorado's electorate male dominated in the 2014 election by a 53 percent to 47 percent margin.

Even with unified control of Congress, Republicans risk falling into a familiar pattern of pursuing legislative tangents and extremist tactics that must be addressed if they want to solidify gains going into 2016. Democrats need to find a way to ensure that the economic recovery is reaching more people to 2010 elections.

On the other end of the age distribution, seniors' turnout was very strong. They were 22 percent of 2014 voters, up sharply from their 17 percent share in 2012 and even slightly higher than their 21 percent share in 2010. This is the highest share of seniors in the electorate since 1988.

Race Voters in 2014 were 75 percent white and 25 percent minority. The minority figure is a decline of 3 percentage points from the 2012

In North Carolina, the minority vote share dropped 4 points relative to 2012, including a 2-point drop in the black vote; the youth vote share dropped 4 points; and the female vote share dropped 3 points. In Iowa, the drop-off was more modest: 1 point in the minority vote, 2 points in the youth vote, and 3 points in the female vote.

Ruy Teixeira is a Senior Fellow at both The Century Foundation and the Center for American Progress. John Halpin is a Senior Fellow at the Center.

50 India Post

www.indiapost.com

November 14, 2014

Sanjay Dutt

T

he stage is set for Rajkumar Hirani's biopic on controversial actor Sanjay Dutt. And the direc tor admitted that the film may go on floors before Sanjay is released from prison.

"I have got plenty of inputs from Sanju's family. I've met not only his sisters, Priya and Namrata, but also his brother-in-law Kumar Gaurav and Paresh, a close friend of his who lives in the US," says the Munnabhai director.

The idea came to Hirani when the actor was casually talking about his life. "I visited his home everyday for 25 days to hear every bit of this fascinating, eventful life story, only one-tenth of which is known.

Drugs, underworld, relationships, his father, itna utar chadav hai ki poocho mat," insists the awed filmmaker.

Hirani and Dutt have decided that they will not withhold any information from the audience. From his ex-wives, Richa Sharma and Rhea Pillai, to his present wife Manyata Dutt, will find a place in the story. "We want to tell it as it is, but aesthetically. We don't want to hurt anybody," he asserts.

Like all his films, this one too will be written by him and his best friend Abhijat Joshi, who has now relocated to Ahmedabad from the US, "I'll never forget the day when he asked Vidhu Vinod Chopra if he could work on Lage Raho Munnabhai, the man is special," Hirani smiles fondly.

Confirming that Ranbir Kapoor will play Sanjay, he says the actor did not take long to say 'yes' to the role. So will Ranbir have to grow his hair to look like Sanjay from Rocky

Hirani and Dutt have decided that they will not withhold any information from the audience. From his ex-wives, Richa Sharma and Rhea Pillai, to his present wife Manyata Dutt, will find a place in the story.

and Vidhaata? That draws a laugh, "When you get sucked into a character and story, you don't need to look like the man."

Hirani has a special bond with Sanjay, which developed over their two collaborations, Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai. "Jo bhi tha, woh late aata tha, daaru peeta tha, but deep down there is an honest child inside Sanju," he maintains.

He adds that the actor trusts him implicitly with his story, so does his wife Manyata, who often sat besides them, listening while her husband poured his heart out to the director. And Hirani takes a long pause when asked if Sanjay ever broke down during those 25 days? "I would say he was reflective," he says, his voice dropping a little.

And was he candid about his premarriage days in front of her? "Yeah. Ab kahani sunani hai toh sunani hai."

"Never look at anybody in black and white. Sanju's biopic is an amazing, unbelievable story of a flawed personality. That man has suffered a lot," signs off an emotional Hirani, who plans to shoot a large part of the film on real locations. -Courtesy Mumbai Mirror

Rajkumar Hirani

India Post 51

November 14, 2014 www.indiapost.com

Canadian man offers free trip around the world TORONTO: A Toronto man is offering a free round-the-world air ticket to the right woman. But restrictions apply. You must be named Elizabeth Gallagher and have a Canadian passport.

Jordan Axani, 28, said he and his then girlfriend, named Elizabeth Gallagher, booked heavily discounted round-the-world air tickets in May, but their relationship has ended and he doesn't want her ticket to go to waste. He told The Associated Press that the ticket has a strict no-transfer policy, but since passport information was not required when booking, it can be used by any Canadian woman named Elizabeth Gallagher. ``I just want to see the ticket go to good use and for someone to experience a lot of joy,'' said Axani, speaking by telephone from his Toronto home.

Axani posted the ticket offer on the popular Reddit social media

website, and has since received thousands of emails, including about 15 to 30 from actual Eliza-

interested in changing their name to Elizabeth Gallagher,'' Axani said with a chuckle. ``It was absolutely

Jordan Axani of Toronto, who is offering a free round-the-world air ticket to the right woman.

beth Gallaghers with Canadian passports. ``More interesting, there are hundreds of Canadians who are

out of control, thousands of emails, people around the world sharing their incredible stories of travel.''

He wrote in his Reddit post that he is ``not looking for anything in return'' and that the woman who uses the extra ticket can choose to either travel with him or take the ticket and head out on her own. ``Having said that, I will buy the first round of vino at JFK upon departure,'' added Axani. In his online posting, Axani said his other requirements for his prospective travel partner are that she be "sane, smart and (hopefully) interesting,'' have a desire to travel and be ready for ``a rather spontaneous life experience,'' and be willing to pay the good deed forward to someone else.

Axani said that after the breakup he deferred all other planning for the trip, such as making hotel reservations.

Axani, who works for an international real estate development and advisory firm, said the tickets were purchased for a couple of thousand dollars, but their cash

value is around Canadian $5,000$7,000 (US$4,400-$6,200).

The trip is scheduled to start Dec. 21 in New York City and continue on to Milan, Prague, Paris, Bangkok and New Delhi before ending in Toronto on Jan. 8.

Axani said he's even received a few date requests, but ``can't imagine who would want to solicit romance from someone who dated someone with the same name.''

He said the lucky recipient of the free ticket will be announced on social media and the trip will be documented and shared online.

Axani said that he was so moved by some of the emails including one from an 8-year-old boy who said he was going blind and wanted to see the world before that happens - that he and his brother want to create an organization called A Ticket Home to help people who desire to see the world but lack the finances to do so. -AP

Showcase of 7 decades of drawing in India NEW DELHI: Drawing has always been considered the foundation of all art with stalwarts such as M F Husain, Jamini Roy, Laxma

M F Husain

Gouda and Manjit Bawa among others devoting time to the visual art form.

A curated showcase of draw-

ings by over 100 artists from India, featuring works dating from 1947 to the present times is now on at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts.

Hosted by Gallery Espace, the show titled "Drawing 2014: Seven Decades of Indian Drawing" has been co-curated by Prayag Shukla along with Annapurna Garimella and Sindhura Jois DM. The "ambitious show" is part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Delhi-based gallery.

Along with works on single sheets of paper, artists' books, studies for other projects, multiples, laser drawings, animation and more are included in the exhibition.

Referring to the idea of the show, Renu Modi, Director, Gallery Espace says, "It was the legendary M F Husain who introduced me to the finer nuances of drawings and the intimate, small format nature of this genre has re-

mained a personal favorite with me ever since."

The show "is a curatorial project that explores and showcases the visually exciting and historically-rich practice of drawing in India over the last 67 years," "The smoothness of a Jamini Roy drawing, the performative nature of Husain's own works, drawings by Laxma Goud and Manjit Bawa - these were part of my initial introduction to this genre" says Modi.

The gallery had in the year 1994 held its first show on Drawings.

Apart from the expansive show several outreach events that seek to reflect on the significance of drawings in art and other disciplines are also scheduled to be held in the city.

The show, says curator

Annapurna Garimella is "a curato-

Jamini Roy

rial project that explores and showcases the visually exciting and historically-rich practice of drawing in India over the last 67 years."

Over the last 2,000 years, drawing as can be seen in Jain manuscripts, Ajanta murals, or which an image grows in layers.

During the nationalist period, artists attributed ideological power to various ways of drawing.

Jamini Roy, a student of the Abanindranath Tagore, was considered one of the most prominent artists of pre-independence India.

Cont'd on Page 52

52 India Post

November 14, 2014 www.indiapost.com

Foreign brands covet Brazil's hot fashion market SAO PAULO: Even before the models in towering heels and slinky little numbers had left the catwalk, audience members were out of their seats and frantically elbowing their way toward a popup boutique set up at the top of the runway.

Just minutes after the conclusion of an extravagant show unveiling a capsule collection by Versace for Brazilian fast-fashion retailer Riachuelo, the cash registers were hopping.

Despite its sputtering economy, Brazil continues to be a prized target market for international fashion brands, as witnessed during the Sao Paulo fashion week's fall-winter 2015 shows.

Versace's collection for Riachuelo, which includes pencil skirts and sexed-up gowns in the Italian house's iconic leopard and nautical prints at prices ranging from $20 to around $200, wasn't the only high-profile collaboration unveiled. Stella McCartney also presented her second capsule collection with C&A, made up of boxy-cut blouses and pants in fluid fabrics that riffed on the romantic, androgynous look that has become the trademark of the London-based brand.

At a news conference in Sao Paulo, McCartney told journalists it was in part the enthusiastic response in fashion-crazy Brazil to her first collaboration with C&A that prompted her to roll out another collection with the Germain retailer, sold exclusively in Brazil.

``Brazilian women are cool and sexy, but they're also aware,'' as consumers, McCartney said. ``I'd say they're at the forefront of fashion.''

Pieces from the collection, dominated by neutral tones like seashell pink, lames and lace, retail from $20-$100 and go on sale in select C&A stores on Nov. 18.

In this era of instant gratifica-

members made a mad dash for the racks hung with the second-skin minidresses and legging-tight jeans like those worn by the models just minutes earlier. Lines immediately formed at the half a dozen tills set up for the occasion.

Still, despite such over-the-top attempts by foreign brands to try to break into the Brazilian market,

Models parade down the catwalk wearing creations from the Lolitta collection at a Sao Paulo fashion week’s fall-winter show, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Despite its sputtering economy, Brazil continues to be a prized target market for international fashion brands.

tion, where brands are desperate to cash in on the excitement generated by lavish runway shows, Versace's catwalk pop-up boutique might emerge as a new trend.

After designer Donatella Versace emerged on the catwalk to take a bow, flanked by two tattoo-covered hunks in campy sailor costumes worthy of the Village People, a giant neon sign reading ``open'' lit up, and frantic audience

the country's garment sector continues to be dominated by homegrown labels.

Several dozen of Brazil's bestknown brands fielded winter 2015 collections at Sao Paulo fashion week, a 5-day extravaganza that has emerged as Latin America's premier fashion event.

Brazil used to hold competing fashion weeks in both Sao Paulo and its beachside neighbor Rio de

Janeiro, but starting this season the fall-winter shows in Rio have been scrapped. Some Rio labels migrated to Sao Paulo, while others will continue to show in Rio, but only for the spring-summer season.

Top shows in Sao Paulo this week included the collection of modified trench coats at the sporty, Rio-based label Osklen, one of the few Brazilian brands with stores abroad.

Another Rio-based veteran, Patricia Vieira served up easy, breezy garments, all made from her trademark material, leather, and some laser-cut so finely that the swingy cocktail dresses appeared to be made of lace.

GIG Couture delivered sophisticated robe sweaters and knit skirts in clashing prints. Swoonworthy Art Deco-style Rorschach test prints in egg yolk yellow and

Showcase of 7 decades of drawing in India Cont'd from Page 51

The opening of art schools during the British Raj and the nationalist response to colonial art education eventually led to the creation of an Indian modernism that

Girls in AMU library will 'attract' boys: VC ALIGARH: Turning down the demand of students of Women's College, Aligarh Muslim University, for access to the varsity's Maulana Azad Library, vicechancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah has said there would be "four times more boys" in the library if girls were allowed in.

"The issue is not of discipline, but of space. Our library is packed," the VC said, justifying why the girls were not allowed membership.

Women's College principal Naima Gulrez, echoed the VC's views. Addressing the audience during the oath-taking ceremony of the new students' union, she said, "We understand the demand for access to the library. But have you girls ever seen

the library? It is jam-packed with boys. If girls too were to be present in it, the discipline issue might crop up."

Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah

Students of the Women's College are not allowed membership of the Maulana Azad Library, re-

portedly better stocked than the Women's College library. Several previous students' unions, too, had demanded access to the famed Maulana Azad Library, located within AMU and 3 km from the Women's College.

Gulfiza Khan, president of the Women's College students' union, said, "We are students of Aligarh Muslim University. We, too, should have the benefit of accessing the famous Maulana Azad Library. The library in the Women's College is not enough. If space is a problem, we can just issue books and not sit in the library."

She asserted that access to a good library was necessary for the all-round development of students, without discrimination between boys and girls.

others covered in a mosaic of Islamic stars, were piled one on top of another to an elegantly chaotic effect.

The presence of Brazil's bestknown export, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who walked at the Colcci show Tuesday, wowed the fashion crowd, but perhaps the most electrifying models on the catwalks this week weren't, strictly speaking, human.

The crowd let out a collective sigh when an adorable dog opened the Reinaldo Fraga show Wednesday as part of a publicity stunt by an animal protection organization to promote pet adoptions. And none other than Darth Vader himself nearly sparked collective hysteria when he appeared on the Triton runway to set the mood for the brand's ``Star Wars''themed collection, flanked by two heavily armed stormtroopers. -AP

Laxma Goud

entered a dialogue with European modernism.

Rabindranath Tagore, for example, requested the Bauhaus in Germany to send an exhibition to India, which in 1922 became the first contemporary European art exhibition to visit the country.

The idea of paintings without figuration or a specific subject appeared in local art culture after this exhibition.

Artists started drawing non-mythological subjects for which new ways of seeing and making

forms had to be learned.

The ongoing exhibition also talks about how the method of drawing has changed over time.

Women artists like Paula Sengupta, Rakhi Peshwani and many others use embroidery and textiles as the medium and support for their drawing.

"Even in performance art, drawing is used as means for embodying a concept, artists very often use their skin as a canvas and drawn or write on their body while performing in public," says the curator.-PTI

Manjit Bawa

Philosophy

November 14, 2014

India Post 53

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T

he voluntary cessation, non-action of movement, can become possible if the brain, the cerebral organ, is not a restless, disorderly, chaotic brain.

One doesn't have to begin to learn how to be silent, but one has to begin with learning to function in an orderly, clear, unconfused way. Every cerebral movement has to be clear, precise and accurate.

Accuracy, precision, is the breath of orderliness. So I learn to be precise and accurate. And in learning to be precise and accurate I learn to be totally present with everything that I do.

Eliminating reactions One will have to learn to reduce the area and the duration of reactions seeing the futility and seeing the harmfulness of this constant game of reacting, evaluating, comparing and judging.

You reduce your rapport and contact with the past: the memory, the knowing, the conditioning, the motivations, the defenses.

If one would be with nature, even half the time that one is with human beings, machines and gadgets, there would be an opportunity to enter into a non-reactional observation, a non-reactional attention.

Then the brain would get some rest. When you are with nature: the birds, the lakes, the sunsets, the beautiful moonlight, when you are with the aloneness of the woods - then the comparative

GEORGI (GEORGINA YAEL JOHNSON)

T

he soul aspect which per vades as a background to the dimension of emptiness is unity. When I first mention this to students, they are often shocked.

Unity? In the root? The idea that it is precisely the 'lower' dimension all that ugly physical stuff - which is the opening to sacred unity can appear as a paradox.

Yet what we know as the 'lowest' dimension - physical matter is also in some ways the most inviolate, strong and the most suffused with the perpetual sanctity of creation and the emergence of form. It is in the dense dimension of physical matter that emptiness becomes most apparent.

When we contemplate the densest expression of energy available to our perception - the physical world the world of bones, flesh, cement, mortar and neatly painted asphalt, it becomes clear that there can be no unity which does not contain that.

If we excluded the matter of which we are composed as individual humans, it wouldn't be unity but escapism. In truth matter does not divide us: it is the most tangible, physical proof of our unity.

evaluating process has no scope.

The motivations and defensemechanisms become absolutely irrelevant and meaningless when you are with nature. The reactional pattern has no function, and yet there is observation.

Act on your understanding Never argue with one's own understanding. The whisper of intelligence is always there, whatever you do.

But the brain cannot be orderly, competent, accurate and precise if you do not listen to it, if you have no respect. We are so busy with the outside world, and its compulsions, that the world that is inside us does not command that respect and reverence, that care and concern from us.

Sometimes one may commit a mistake, it might be the whim of the ego and we might mistake the whim, the wish of the ego for the

nore, or insult that.

To eliminate the time lag between understanding and action is the way to grow into spontaneity.

Self-education is vitally necessary in order to enable the cerebral organ to function in an orderly, quiet way. When there is order, there is a quietness; an orderly person hardly gets excited. It is disorder that leads to excitement, enthusiasm, depression which is

Voice of intelligence has an insecurity about it Unless you commit mistakes, how do you learn to discriminate between the false and the true?

In learning there is bound to be a little inseVimla Thakkar

curity, a possibility of committing mistakes.

If you create a time lag between the whisper of intelligence and understanding in you and your action, then you are preventing the cerebral organ from growing into a new dimension. When you argue with intelligence, when you postpone acting according to understanding then there is confusion, the brain gets confused.

The voice of understanding, the voice of intelligence has an insecurity about it. How do you know that it is the right thing?

So we tend to ignore it. Instead we accept authority. We conform.

voice of silence and intelligence, but that we have to discover. Unless you commit mistakes, how do you learn to discriminate between the false and the true? In learning there is bound to be a little insecurity, a possibility of committing mistakes. Why should one be terribly afraid of committing mistakes?

So instead of accepting the authority of habits and conditionings, while one is moving one watches, and when there is a suggestion, a whisper from within, from one's own intelligence, one does not neglect, ig-

the other side of excitement, passivity which is the obverse of enthusiasm.

When one has arrived at that orderliness in daily living, in whatever one does, then only one can talk about the brain voluntarily, relinquishing the outgoing and the ingoing movement, relinquishing voluntarily the hold upon the known and the unknown, the visible and the invisible, so that the infinite could be.

Vimla Thakkar (1921-2009) was an Indian social activist and spiritual teacher

Our physical bodies, alive as they are, are also the clearest declaration of physical unity. They declare it constantly, these bodies, as they drag behind us as we venture forth in our 'higher' process of spiritual development. Loyally, they ground it all. Whether con-

fused with the particles of bodies of those that have lived and died.

And this is not only a future event. Within the timeless, vertical dimension of the present moment, our physical conception and our decomposition are coexisting.

There is no greater proof and fact

our consciousness. At the heart of matter, we are one.

This basis of unity contains the mid-dimension of sentient awareness and the upper dimension of wisdom and peace. It is the infinite empire that allows the stillness of eternity, the stillness of

Matter is the most tangible proof of our unity the clearest declaration of physical unity. They declare it constantly, these bodies, as they drag be-

scious or not, and beyond the furthest reaches of our awareness, these bodies persist as a magnificent composition of universal matter.

Although we can find a thousand reasons why not to think about it right now, these bodies of ours are also in transformation. We will undergo a death process, and the physical body will be cremated or buried in order to slowly decompose into the elements. Even the fresh air we are breathing is suf-

of the transience of form than our physical flesh and blood, and the hard ground on which it stands.

So potent is this, that when there is sound it vibrates through every molecule and cell of our physical bodies, whether or not we know or like the other people in the room. We are responding in unity to every passing truck, and each whisper from a baby's lips, whether or not we allow it within our awareness or know it within

What matters is to live in the present, live now, for every moment is now. It is your thoughts and acts of the moment that create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern by your past.

- Sai Baba There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.

- Paramahansa Yogananda The mind is the root from which all things grow if you can understand the mind, everything else is included.

-Bodhidharma

Our physical bodies, alive as they are, are also

hind us as we venture forth in our 'higher' process

God can be realized through all paths. All religions are true. The important thing is to reach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairs or by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by a rope. You can also climb up by a bamboo pole.

- Ramakrishna

Georgi (Georgina Yael Johnson)

being and the stillness of silence.

It is the powerful support to passion, ecstasy and bliss.

Dissolving in this soul aspect of unity, behind time and space, within the great and persuasive playing field of creation in the grey space between polarities, we are one.

Excerpted from 'I Am Here.' An Oxford graduate in Literature, Spiritual author and teacher Georgi presently lives in Israel with her ten children.

Divine desperateness is the beginning of spiritual awakening because it gives rise to the aspiration for God-realisation.

- Meher Baba Life is a tide; float on it.

Go down with it and go up with it, but be detached.

Then it is not difficult.

- Prem Rawat

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Has President Obama turned lame duck?

T

he US' mid-term Congressional election result was, in the perception of the Republican Party - that came to control the US Congress for the first time in last eight years - a referendum on incumbent President Barack Obama's presidency.

If the American voters' verdict was overwhelmingly against the Democratic Party, some analysts argue, Obama is a lame duck president. Given how Obama could not effectively promote his political agenda when the Democratic Party held majority in the powerful Upper House of the Congress, how can he expect to do so now, when both Houses of the US Congress have come under Republican majority?

It is understandable that Obama will have to cope with tremendous

due to its behavior in the recent past and the Party, keeping its eyes on 2016 presidential election, cannot afford to retain a negative image among the voters.

Second, there are some issues, such as corporate tax reforms, where Obama and the Republican Party bosses appear to be on the same page. In fact, the Democratic Party, failed to capitalize on Obama's oratory skills and back his policies during the election campaign and thus had to face consequences. Obama's desire to leave a noteworthy legacy will induce him to make compromises even if his own party leaders take contrary views on certain legislations.

Third, all said and done, the Republican Party has not got a veto-proof majority in the Congress or a filibuster-proof major-

President Barack Obama meets with Congressional leaders in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House in Washington on November 7. From left are House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada

challenges to his domestic political agenda in the next two years of his presidency. The gridlock in Washington, the temporary government shutdown and the sequestration that affected even the Pentagon occurred when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives stonewalled Obama's political agenda. If history repeats again, Obama will certainly be called a lame duck president.

But history is very unlikely to repeat itself in Washington's beltway. First of all, encouraged by the recent electoral victory, the Republican Party will try to project itself as a responsible political party that cares for its constituents and the country's political stability and economic growth. Its image has taken quite a beating

India Post

CHINTAMANI MAHAPATRA

ity in the US Senate. President Obama will retain his right to veto legislations he opposes and some of his party men can be persuaded to filibuster a Republican legislative measure, if it is perceived to be against the principal party line.

All these do not signify that there is going to be trouble free Obama administration until 2016.

Key issues related to energy, environment, immigration, healthcare and public debt will encounter sharp political debates and divisions, and may even create an image of a drastically divided nation over the coming months.

But the Republican leadership will be mindful of the 2016 election and Obama will strive to put in place a respectable legacy and hence political processes in the

country's capital may actually witness more restrained dynamics and controlled temper than in the recent past.

Mid-term elections in the US are generally local affairs and do not draw much attention abroad. But the 2014 election is conspicuously different. The world watched it with intense curiosity in view of the ongoing disorder in the world.

Russia and China have been flexing muscles in their respective regions and the Obama administration's response is regarded by the US allies as either weak or lackluster.

The Syrian civil war, the spread of the Islamic State's (IS) influence in West Asia, and the difficulties of finding a workable solution to Iran's nuclear questions demand a kind of engagement and leadership that the Obama administration has not been able to provide.

The international community does not want to witness the unfolding of a cold war-type equation between the US and Russia and/or between Washington and Beijing. International concerns over the inability of the US-led air strikes to contain the IS are also palpable.

Will Obama act like a lame duck president on foreign affairs?

Frankly, under the US constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances, the President enjoys enormous privilege and leeway to conduct the country's foreign relations and safeguard national security. The Congress has the power over the purse and it can create hurdles for the White House in matters of implementation.

But significantly, the Republican Party desires a more robust use of force in the conduct of foreign policy and has criticized Obama for lack of leadership, growing anti-Americanism in the world and less than weighty means to confront Russia on the Ukraine issue and the IS and Syria in West Asia.

One has to watch how far the Republican Congress can persuade, encourage, back and induce the Obama White House to restore the US' primacy in global affairs. In other words, the Republican Congress will desire President Obama to be more proactive and not a lame duck in conducting world affairs and addressing national security threats.

The writer is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU. Courtesy IPCS

New faces

N

arendra Modi has expanded his Cabinet by inducting four ministers of Cabinet rank and 17 junior ministers. The idea behind the expansion has been filling up some major gaps and giving representation to some regions that are to face Assembly elections in the near future. Defense was a major miss when the Modi government took office in May this year. It seems the portfolio was reserved for Manohar Parrikar, the erstwhile chief minister of Goa, who was reluctant to leave his post to work under a strong personality like Modi. One of the most articulate young faces in BJP, Parrikar had made his mark as a successful administrator with his two stints as chief minister. Modi's brief to him obviously is to bolster the defense forces keeping the neighborhood in mind.

Soon after taking over he admitted that relationship with neighboring countries was a sensitive issue but gave the assurance that he would not allow the country to go defenseless against enemies.

Parrikar has taken over the crucial ministry from Arun Jaitley who was holding additional charge of defense along with his formidable Finance Ministry. The pressing issues Parrikar faces are the rising tensions with Pakistan, the challenge of frequent border incursions by China, the sanctioning of defense deals put under a freeze by the previous UPA government, manufacturing indigenous firearms and weapons and solving the Naval puzzle where 13 accidents have taken place in the last 15 months.

Suresh Prabhu, who has been entrusted with the Railways portfolio, had already been advising the Prime Minister on a variety of crucial issues from energy and climate change to physical infrastructure and the economy. With his intellectual prowess, a nonpolitical persona and the trust reposed by the Prime Minister, he brings more than his weight in the government. He is said to be a rare talent - a hard worker, a details man, but also someone blessed with a broader vision. Modi was unhappy with the earlier incumbent of Railways Sadanand Gowda with nice man image but inability to deliver. At a time when the PM showed eagerness to infuse new technology into the Railways and overhaul passenger services, Gowda failed to come up with big ideas or innovative plans.

Soon after taking over Suresh Prabhu listed passenger safety and customer satisfaction as his top priorities. He felt the Railways had potential which had not been properly utilized. He chose to link the performance of the railways to the economy claiming that it was an integrating factor to propel economic growth.

Another new talent tapped by Modi is Jayant Sinha, son of former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, who already has a disproportionate impact on public policy. He has been inducted as the junior to Arun Jaitley. He was the first, in 2008, to moot the desirability of a universal identification number for all residents of India.

In 2009 the UPA government launched the project with Nandan Nilekani as its head. He was the first to suggest the Saral form for filing income tax returns, which made it easier for salaried classes to pay taxes. Soon after taking over he exuded confidence that the country's GDP growth will cross 6 percent in 2015-16. He listed the priority of the government as job creation and inflation management.

A surprising demotion has been that of Delhi MP Harsh Vardhan from Health to a lesser portfolio of science and technology. While some BJP sources ascribed his fall to lack of performance, there are others who feel that he has been given time to campaign in Delhi which soon faces a re-election, so that he can be brought back as chief minister if the BJP wins the Delhi election.

The man replacing Harsh Vardhan, Jagat Praksah Nadda, is a master-strategist and a trusted lieutenant of Modi and party chief Amit Shah. A prominent student leader during his college days, Nadda is known as a tough task master.

November 14, 2014

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