IndiaPost_11-18-2011 by Ghanshyam Bisht

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Narayan NEW YORK • WASHINGTON D.C. • CHICAGO • ATLANTA • CALIFORNIA

Congressman Gary Ackerman

‘Bid to change Pakistan is naïve and fanciful’ Details on page 5

Ariz immigration law architect Pearce ousted Details on page 36

Gov Nikki Haley campaigns for Ricky Gill

VOL 17, No. 897

November 18, 2011

50¢

Murthy

Periodical Postage

U.S. READY FOR ARMS CO-DEVELOPMENT

'Narayan Murthy misunderstood in IIT row'

Top defense tech for India likely

SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The United States expects to make codevelopment of armaments with India a reality while staying committed to providing India with top-of-the-line defense technology, according to a report released by the US Department of Defense (DoD). The Report to Congress on US-India Security Cooperation released this month states that the Department of

Defense, along with the Departments of State and Commerce, will advocate for US solutions to Indian defense needs. "We recognize that India is also seeking to build its own indigenous defense industry, and is looking for the best technologies to use in its defense sector. The United States wants to develop deeper defense industrial cooperation with India, including a range of cooperative research and development activities. The United States is committed to providing India with top-of-the-line technology," the report says. Details on page 5

Chetan Bhagat Details on page 6

Engg Council award for Smita Shah Details on page 44

Details on page 19

Ambassador Rao meets lawmakers

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

Should India depend on US for defense tech?

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Last week’s result

Should India pay more heed to private sector? YES 76%

CONTENTS

NO 24%

Bollywood ---------------------- 34-35 Classifieds ------------------------- 48 Community Post -------------- 12-22 Date Book -------------------------- 47 Edit Page --------------------------- 50 HealthScience Post --------- 40-43 Horoscope ------------------------- 11 Immigration Post ------------- 36-39

GOOD NEIGHBORS: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaks to the press as Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani looks on after their meeting during the 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Addu on November 10. External Affairs S.M. Krishna and Pakistanís Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar are also seen. (Details on page 10)

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Life Style ----------------------- 24-28 Philosophy ------------------------- 49 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 TechBiz Post ------------------- 44-45 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-31

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November 18, 2011

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Publisher’s Diary

hat do Julian Assange of Wikileaks, former IMF Chief Dominique Straus-Kahn and Republican Presidential hopeful Herman Cain have in common? Their high profile public status notwithstanding, the common factor binding them is that they have all been accused of sexual harassment or sex related crimes. It is no secret that in all these cases, it is not so much the purported female victims, but a larger set of people behind them who directly stand to benefit by the downfall of these individuals. Sex as an act, not of passion, but of power has always ended with disastrous consequences both for the victim and the one wielding it. So, that's common knowledge, but somehow the negative connotations of sex never fail to rake up in people a certain sense of voyeuristic shock when it is linked to public officials and celebrities. Little wonder then that even in these times of liberal minded social behavior, sex continues to act as a potent weapon to vanquish a targeted person directly or indirectly. I do not profess either sympathy or empathy towards any of the men I mentioned above. But consider this: A case of sexual assault was the easiest way to stop Assange from further leaking incriminating and classified government documents; an attempted rape case against Straus-Kahn worked like lightning to strike him off as a sure candidate for French presidency and replace him with a more pliable chief of the IMF; and now a slew of sexual harassment cases are being used to discredit Republican Presidential frontrunner Herman Cain. My grief is not with the merits of the accusations or the credentials of the accusers, but it is with modern day politicians who still fall back on the age old weapon of something as clichéd as sex to bring down opponents. It's pathetic. And I say so, for, invariably the victims - often vulnerable women - end up being collateral damage who nobody gives a damn about once their purpose has been served. Isn't that why we all know who Assange, Straus-Kahn and Cain are just by their name, but not the women who accused them?

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Bikini 'Player' Bipasha Basu is out to raise the hotness quotient with a two piece bikini in her forthcoming multi-starrer 'Players'.

Cover Story: Top defense tech The US expects to make co-development of armaments with India a reality while providing it with top defense technology.

Community: MAFS fundraiser MAFS 19th fundraising dinner was a grand affair with huge participation by MAFS supporters and well wishers.

Health: ACM recognized The American University of Antigua College of Medicine has obtained recognition by the Medical Board of California.

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Travel: Kochi Kochi in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala is hailed as Queen of the Arabian Sea.

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November 18, 2011

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US ready for arms co-development Top defense tech for India likely SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The United States expects to make co-development of armaments with India a reality while staying committed to providing India with top-of-theline defense technology, according to a report released by the US Department of Defense (DoD). The Report to Congress on USIndia Security Cooperation released this month states that the Department of Defense, along with the Departments of State and Commerce, will advocate for US solutions to Indian defense needs. "We recognize that India is also seeking to build its own indigenous defense industry, and is looking for the best technologies to use in its defense sector. The United States wants to develop deeper defense industrial cooperation with India, including a range of cooperative research and development activities. The United States is committed to providing India with top-of-the-line technology," the report says.

Further it states: "We believe US aircraft, such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), to be the best in the world. Should India indicate interest in the JSF, the United States would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and its requirements (infrastructure, secu-

‘We recognize that India is also seeking to build its own indigenous defense industry, and is looking for the best technologies to use’ rity, etc.) to support India's future planning." The United States has taken many steps in recent years to facilitate science and technology and research and development cooperation with India. In so do-

ing, the report says, it has signaled its unambiguous intent to pursue cooperative opportunities on increasingly sophisticated systems. "As our relationship continues to mature, we expect co-development of armaments to become a reality," the report says. The US-India defense relationship involves a robust slate of dialogues, military exercises, defense trade, personnel exchanges, and armaments cooperation; and the United States remains committed to a broad defense trade relationship that enables transfers of some of its most advanced technologies to India, the report states. Of the current state of security cooperation between the two nations, the report says that what was once a nascent relationship between unfamiliar nations has now evolved into a strategic partnership between two preeminent security powers in Asia. The further report states that the progress that has been made in armaments cooperation between the US and India was notable, especially when compared

to similar relationships with other countries, and given the relatively short time that the US-India defense relationship has been developing. The US hopes to continue to build on that over the next five years with particular emphasis on maritime security and

‘The U.S. Navy would like to work with the Indian Navy to improve capabilities to perform higher-end, operational missions in the Indian Ocean region’ counterterrorism activities, and expanding defense trade and armaments cooperation. Some of the most promising US-India defense cooperation takes place in the maritime domain, according to the report.

"The U.S. Navy would like to work with the Indian Navy to improve capabilities to perform higher-end, operational missions in the Indian Ocean region as the strategic context dictates. Naval aviation, both maritime surveillance and carrier, provides immediate opportunities for this type of cooperation. Amphibious operations is another viable area in which to increase cooperation and capabilities. We could also exchange information on future capacity building plans during defense bilateral meetings to ensure regional capacity building efforts with third countries are complementary. The United States supports a strong US Coast Guard - Indian Coast Guard relationship," the defense department report says. Over the next five years, the United States will continue to establish itself as a reliable defense supplier to India and look for opportunities to enable further training and exchanges between the two militaries as India continues its military modernization.

Trying to change Pakistan is naïve and fanciful: Ackerman SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The United States needs to rid itself of the absurd notion that it can change Pakistan or reform its government, Congressman Gary Ackerman has said in an explicit and blunt statement during a House Subcommittee hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Without mincing words, the Congressman said, "Pakistan is not a friend of the US." Rep. Ackerman (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, on Nov 3, delivered an opening statement during the panel's hearing entitled "2014 and Beyond: U.S. Policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, Part I." In a strongly worded statement, Ackerman said, "It's time to wake up from the naïve and sentimental dream that there is friendship and broad cooperation, and accept reality. Pakistan's national interests are generally contrary to ours and those of our actual allies, and they pursue those contrary interests through the use of violent proxies and terrorism. That's not going to change." "It's time for our policy and our assistance to come back into relation with reality instead of fanciful expectation. Paying Pakistan

to kill bad guys makes sense. Bribing Pakistan - that's what our aid really is - for license and cooperation in our efforts to kill bad guys is also reasonable. But we need to rid ourselves of the absurd notion that we can change Pakistan, reform its government, or create real trust. We have neither the capacity nor the capability, and we certainly don't have the spare billions to keep throwing away on these fool's errands. No more magical thinking. It's time to grow up and deal with Pakistan as it is, not as we hope or wish it to be," the Congressman from New York said. Ackerman called the old saying 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' as nonsense. "The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's enemy, that's it," he said. "There are no implied obligations or warranties. International politics has no freebies." To state what should be obvious, but somehow is not, Ackerman said Pakistan - both the nominally democratic civilian government and the unelected but ultimately decisive Pakistani military establishment - is not a friend of the US. "They are not our allies; they are not our partners; they are not on our team; they are not on our side. And no matter how much aid we give them, no

matter what military capabilities we provide them, and no matter what promises, assurances or pledges we make to them, these facts are not going to change." "Pakistan is on its own side, period," Ackerman continued. "Notwithstanding the considerable number of Pakistanis who'd like to try life in the United States, or the great success story of the

‘Both the nominally democratic civilian government and the unelected but ultimately decisive Pakistani military establishment - is not a friend of the US’ many truly loyal Pakistani-Americans who have done so and contribute so much to their new country, 75 percent of Pakistanis in Pakistan have an unfavorable opinion of our country and believe the United States is the source of that country's problems. That's just a little piece of what

$22 billion of our taxpayer's money has bought us since 2002 in Pakistan. A considerable part of those funds have also enhanced Pakistan's nuclear weapons delivery capability." Ackerman said that while Pakistan has been a critical facilitator in the US campaign to drive out al-Qaida out of Afghanistan, it has also been a critical facilitator of Taliban and other violent, radical jihadist organizations attacking US troops. "These facts are not secret, he said. "Pakistan is perfidious, and that's our problem in a nutshell." Elaborating further, Ackerman said it was not a secret that the Afghan Taliban has been based in Quetta, Pakistan, since Afghan and US forces drove them out of Afghanistan in 2002; that the Haqqani Network is responsible for numerous attacks on the Afghan government and on US troops; that the Lashkar e-Taiba which was responsible for the horrific November 2006 massacre of civilians in Mumbai, India, an attack that clearly implicated the Pakistani military, operates openly in Pakistan; that Osama Bin Laden was living comfortably in Abbottabad, Pakistan. "Pakistan is not our pal, our buddy or our chum. It is a sovereign state pursuing its own self-

defined interests in what it perceives to be a tough neighborhood, but they help make it tough," Ackerman said. Currently, the United States has designated Iran, Syria, Sudan and Cuba as state sponsors of terrorism under US law. Such a designation requires a ban on arms-related exports and sales; strict controls over exports of dual-use items; a prohibition on economic assistance and imposition of miscellaneous financial and other restrictions. In that context, Ackerman said, "But for our genuine need for cooperation in the campaign against al-Qaida, there appears to be very little standing in the way of designating Pakistan as a state-sponsor of terrorism. Very, very, very little." Witnesses for the hearing included Zalmay Khalilzad, Ph.D., a Counselor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Lieutenant General David W. Barno, a Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security; Ashley J. Tellis, Ph.D., a Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and C. Christine Fair, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor at the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

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November 18, 2011

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'IITs will always be elite; they can't cater to masses' SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: So we all know the cult status that graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) hold in the altars of excellence anywhere in the world. For the elevated ground they tread and command, they are not from another planet, but indeed earthlings nurtured in an academic elitism so rare that a student who enters its portals knows he is among the handful to make the cut out of hundreds of thousands of hopefuls each year; and when he graduates, he knows he can transform lives for the better. Still, if all IITians were to inhabit in a single city, would it be the best managed city or the richest or the most enterprising of cities? "Yeah, all of that," says Anil Bhandari of IIT Class of '69 and a New York based Financial Advisor. "But it would also be a city of big egos!" If IITians carry a chip on their shoulder it is because they know they are a brand recognized the world over, and their credentials, a benchmark for success. "IIT is no longer just an institution," says Bhandari. "It's become a lifestyle, an ecosystem where its alumni breathe in the oxygen and spread it around making it a better world." Arrogant as that might sound, IITians get away with it owing to their track record which speaks for itself: 200,000+ alumni of the IITs have created about 20 million jobs in India of $500 billion economic value, and control annual budgets of over $1 trillion. In the US, 50,000 IIT alumni who call it home, have created more than 200,000 jobs, and have founded 60% of all Silicon Valley startups. Amidst the swirling corruption that has become commonplace in India at even the lowest of levels, the IITs remain committed to a system of educational excellence based upon merit, say authors Suvarna Rajguru and Ranjan Pant, in their coffee table book 'IIT India's Intellectual Treasures Passage Through the IIT, The First Comprehensive Book on India's Greatest Treasures'. The authors say no other single institution in India has received more worldwide critical acclaim than the IITs. The principal reason for this recognition being the IIT alumni, often called "India's greatest export", in particular those who have settled in the US. In the book, Sudhakar Shenoy (IIT Bombay, CEO IMC), says: "The IIT admission process has remained pure, probably because everyone knows that trying to slip

in an unqualified student is futile. Such a person would be eaten alive at IIT. He will just be unable to compete." Competition is the watchword,

he quality of students entering Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has deteriorated over the years due to the coaching classes that prepare engineering aspirants. -Infosys founder N R Narayan Murthy

the authors reiterate. Students must pass through a two-tiered entrance examination. The first step is a screening exam to qualify for taking the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), and the second is the JEE itself. Students spend countless hours in preparatory courses. Some take a year off just to study for the JEE. "The exam is so competitive," says Prof MS Ananth (Director, IIT Madras) in the book, that in the past "16 children of IIT directors did not qualify to attend IIT." When asked if any further efforts were made, he replied, "Nothing could be done. They did not qualify." For the record, this year over 485,000 students competed for 9,618 seats, a ratio of acceptance of less than 1 in 50. It was no surprise then that

when at a recent IIT alumni conference in New York City, Infosys founder Narayan Murthy remarked about the falling standard of IIT students owing to proliferating coaching classes, it generated a national debate in India. The issue indeed is touchy. Given that build-up, here are excerpts from an interview with Anil Bhandari who spoke to India Post about brand IIT, the cause and effects of lowered standards, and the Indian government's efforts to open up education. IP: As an alumnus and one actively associated with the Pan IIT Alumni association, what is your general view of IITs today? Bhandari: IITs are recognized as institutes of global excellence and around the world the perception and brand recognition has increased over the last couple of decades. IIT alumni have secured positions in major corporations in top management. They have also

hat Narayan Murthy was attempting to say was taken completely out of context. What he was trying to say was that IITians are still recognized as accomplished alumni, but they need to be better and more polished; when they graduate they need to be immediately employable by giving them certain orientation, like knowledge of the liberal arts etc and also possibly training for jobs. -Anil Bhandari, New York based Financial Advisor moved in various other fields whether it be movie making,

whether it be government positions and politics, advertising, you name it, they have made a name for themselves. They are perceived not as nerds anymore,

t is ironic when someone who runs a body shopping company and calls it hitech, makes sweeping comments on the quality of IIT students -IIT alumnus turned-celebrity writer Chetan Bhagat

but as dynamic people, who can drive different businesses. IP: Recent comments by Narayan Murthy about coaching classes lowering the quality of students entering the IITs, has created a controversy. Why is it such a touchy issue? Bhandari: What Narayan Murthy was attempting to say was taken completely out of context; what the media picked up was completely separate, in fact, poles apart. What he was trying to say was that IITians are still recognized as accomplished alumni, but they need to be better and more polished; when they graduate they need to be immediately employable by giving them certain orientation, like knowledge of the liberal arts etc and also possibly training for jobs.

IITians give back S

uccessful IITians may be guilty of making their millions, but they are definitely not guilty of giving back to the society that has encouraged their talents. In recent years, IITians who have spread their wings the world over are giving back, be it to their alma mater by way of time and funds, or be it to the community at large. At the Pan IIT Conference held in New York City last month, the alumni formally pledged funds towards four prominent charitable organizations - all started by IITians.

Among the receiving organizations are: EcoSolutions NGO, started by Yatendra Agrawal, a graduate of IIT Bombay (1984), which provides solar LED lighting systems for the poor, especially in villages without electrification, as also primary education to rural children; Pratham, a well established NGO that provides primary education to the underprivileged children in India; Dakshina, a West Coast based organization that provides funding for students who are exceptionally bright and want to go to the IIT;

Vilas Karnik Fund, started by an IIT Bombay graduate, that provides funding for students who may have got through the IIT entrance exam but cannot afford to go to the IIT. Last week, the Pan IIT alumni announced funding for two more organizations Akshay Patra Foundation, that works to prevent poor children from dropping out of school by providing them with food everyday; and Sankara Eye Foundation, that is working towards eradicating curable blindness in India and providing free cataract operations to millions.

You will always find in any institution, a pool of graduating alumni that are going to be excellent. What Murthy was saying was that majority are not excellent, but they can become excellent through better research opportunities and all round education that will make them hands on when they seek employment. He did not say that the quality of IIT graduates is deteriorating. IP: Are coaching classes really affecting the quality of students entering the IITs? Bhandari: Coaching class programs are very common and there is nothing wrong in that. Even in the US whether it is the SATS, ACTs or the GRE, there are plenty of coaching classes for aspiring students. In India there are plenty of coaching classes which become more of a money-making proposition, not all of them are ideal. They are just providing a way to answer the questions to get into the IITs which sometimes results in the not very smart candidates to get in by luck of the draw. But again there's nothing wrong with that, it's done all around the world. And they don't diminish the standards of the IITs in any way. If a student makes it to the IIT entrance exam, he is not of poor quality at all. The kids trying to get into IITs have very high percentile grades; they are competing among the best of the best. There will always be some who may pass through the sieve, but the majority who pass will satisfy the criteria of being very smart and coming out accomplished. IP: IITs are legend for being incorruptible in their admission process. Is this trait being threatened by commercial interests from the outside, primarily goaded by demand from students? Bhandari: What is meritorious of the IIT system is that IITs have remained immune from politics. That is very creditable in the Indian system because everything else there is contaminated by politics. To my knowledge the IIT system still remains uncontaminated. There might be an exception sometimes, but to my mind this is a very incorruptible system. IP: What are the real issues facing the IITs? Bhandari: There are two real issues with what the Indian government is trying to do in changing the system which will impact the quality of the students and the brand. One, is the quota system, and second is increasing the number of IITs. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 7

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Ambassador Rao meets lawmakers on Capitol Hill India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Taking a proactive lead, India's Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao has been busy this past week meeting lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, to exchange views on India-US bilateral relations. Ambassador Rao met with Senator Mark Kirk from Illinois, who is a member of the Senate India Caucus; and earlier she met with Congressmen Mac Thornberry of Texas and Devin Nunes of California. Senator Kirk is known for his keen foreign policy interests and is a strong advocate of closer India-U.S. relations. He is a member of the Senate India Caucus. Ambassador Rao and Senator Kirk took positive note of the growing momentum of cooperation across a wide range of issues between the two countries. Senator Kirk is also an officer in the US Navy Reserve holding the rank of Commander. He visited Afghanistan recently on a two-week tour of duty. In an article carried by the Hindustan Times, New Delhi on October 12, 2011, Senator Kirk noted, "Both (India and the US) fight terror, advance democracy and are committed to tolerance in an increasingly intolerant world." During their meeting, Ambassador Rao and Senator Kirk dis-

cussed the situation in Afghanistan and the common interests of India and US in the long-term peace, security and development of Afghanistan.

transportation and energy linking Central and South Asia. Senator Kirk welcomed India's positive contribution to Afghanistan's reconstruction and

gional and global issues of common interest. Congressman Thornberry, widely regarded for his expertise on national security issues, is the

Ambassador Nirupama Rao

Senator Kirk is known for his keen foreign policy interests and is a strong advocate of closer India-U.S. relations. He is a member of the Senate India Caucus

Senator Mark Kirk

Ambassador Rao referred to India's robust development assistance to Afghanistan and India's vision for an independent sovereign, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, emerging as the hub for trade,

described a strong US-India partnership as an important factor for Afghanistan's peace and prosperity. During the Nov 1 meeting with Congressmen Thornberry and Nunes, Ambassador Rao exchanged with them views on re-

Vice Chairman of the US House of Representative's Armed Services Committee and a senior Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Congressman Nunes comes from a Congressional district in

California which has a large Indian community presence. He is a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence as well as a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee. During the meeting, they expressed happiness over the growing momentum in India-US relations based on shared democratic values and converging interests. Congressman Thornberry highlighted growing cooperation between the two countries in the field of counter-terrorism and expressed interest in enhancing engagement with India in the field of cyber-security. Congressman Nunes referred to the rapidly growing trade and economic engagement between India and the US and the role of the Indian Diaspora in the US in building an important cultural bridge between the two countries. Ambassador Rao said she looked forward to an early visit by the two Congressmen to India.

Obama to meet PM in Bali on Nov 18 WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama would meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Bali on November 18 on the sidelines of the East Asia summit, a top presidential aide said here. Meeting for the first time in

about an year, the two leaders are expected to review the progress of the bi-lateral ties since Obama's visit to India last November; besides discussing a wide range of issues including Afghanistan, economic ties and

security relationship, the official said. "India, of course, as a rapidly growing economy, as a strong democracy and as an important security partner and counterterrorism partner in South

Asia, is a very important relationship to the United States," Ben Rhodes, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, told reporters during an off camera briefing at the White House.-PTI

'IITs will always be elite; they can't cater to masses' Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 6

As it is, we have a shortage of good faculty, which means with more IITs you will be taking on lower quality faculty to fulfill the requirement. Increasing the number of graduating students can be accomplished in another way. You can still have the five or ten IITs as the Ivy IITs and the rest need not be called IITs. They can still be institutes of higher learning, but remain in a second tier; like here in the US, you have the Ivy of 10 colleges, but say, a Duke or a Stamford are close too. Simply increasing the number of IITs or creating a quota system for students will dilute the brand of IIT, and I am not in favor of that. IP: What do you make of the Indian government's efforts to make higher education such as delivered by the IITs accessible to more and more students in the country? Bhandari: (The Minister for HRD) Kapil Sibal is trying to open up the education system at all levels and accommodate more stu-

dents into institutes of higher learning. A major problem in India is even very bright students may be eligible for engineering colleges but don't have a chance to get into the elite colleges - either they have to pay large facilitation

A major problem in India is even very bright students may be eligible for engineering colleges but don't have a chance to get into the elite colleges fees as they call it or find rich parents who can afford to send them overseas. What Sibal is doing is opening up the channels to different universities in different regions for foreign collaborations or for having different programs with

the foreign universities. He is trying to get more universities set up within the different states. Different states have different rules; and then there are the deemed universities and not deemed universities and so on. Sibal is trying to take all that out of the equation and promote the quality by encouraging private sector to open universities. IP: IITs by themselves have proven to be superior in their output to that of even Harvard and MIT. Will foreign collaborations as being envisaged by the Indian government interfere with their intrinsic style of teaching? Bhandari: Collaborations will do two things: One, they will improve quality of education; secondly, they will bring in broader learning. It will encourage cross border exchange of faculty, students and research. Indian graduate students can have a semester abroad and vice versa. Even American students who cannot afford college here can go to India and graduate. IITs in fact, started off as collaborations. Nine universities got

together to start the first IIT in Kanpur, India; then Delhi IIT was started by the British; Chennai IIT by Germans, Mumbai IIT by Russians and Kharagpur IIT by UNESCO. All of them are collaborative efforts. A lot of IIT alumni

IITs in fact, started off as collaborations. Nine universities got together to start the first IIT in Kanpur, India; then Delhi IIT was started by the British; Chennai IIT by Germans, Mumbai IIT by Russians here in the US as faculty are already encouraging cross border exchanges. IP: Would you say, given the present conditions of faculty crunch, profile of students and political interference, future IIT

graduates would be of the same high caliber? Bhandari: If Mr. Sibal is successful in implementing what he is trying to implement, the caliber of graduating students will be even higher. Unless they really mess it up, it should only get better because students will be exposed to better research opportunities. Also with the internet, they would only be better equipped graduates. I don't think even I will be able to get into the present day IIT anymore. IP: Is there a downside to the IIT system? Bhandari: IITs will always remain as the top end of the education system. Though the Indian government is trying to start private universities, not all will be of that level. The government's primary focus is not engineering schools but vocational education. IITs cannot cater to the masses. I hope they don't proliferate and dilute their standard. Even if they proliferate, the top 5 or 10 will remain IITs of choice and the rest will end up like regional engineering colleges.

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Senator Williams says he did not intend to offend Hindus SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The controversy last week over the alleged intolerant remarks by a Kentucky senator about a Hindu ground-breaking ceremony continued with Hindus from across the country expressing their shock and outrage. Following the remarks by Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate Senator David Williams (R-KY) about Governor Steve Beshear's "participation" in a Hindu ground-breaking ceremony last week, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) had sought clarification and an apology from the senator. On Oct 26, Gov. Beshear had

tack Gov. Beshear by calling his actions "in direct opposition to his own expressed Christian faith which recognizes but one God," prompting the Foundation's Managing Director and Legal Counsel, Suhag Shukla, to write to the Williams' campaign. The State Senator responded by directly calling Shukla to discuss the issue in a conversation Shukla described as "civil." "While we strongly disagree with Senator Williams' comments and opinions, we appreciate his efforts in reaching out to us," said Shukla. "The conversation provided a good opportunity to educate the senator about Hindu beliefs and traditions, and we hope to continue the dialogue."

‘In the difficult times we face,’ Miller added, ‘I cannot fathom why anyone would choose to use such inflammatory language instead of celebrating the economic impact and jobs the plant will create’ participated in a ritualistic Hindu ground-breaking ceremony of an Indian manufacturing company in Kentucky, which was investing in phases nearly $180 million and would create 250 jobs. Senator Williams criticized Gov. Beshear for praying to false gods, and hoped that Hindus accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. His comments were met with disappointment and shock from the Hindu American community and were strongly condemned by HAF. Given a chance to clarify his previous statements, Sen. Williams reportedly continued to at-

Shukla stated that she also conveyed to Williams that his comments were deeply offensive to Hindus and that they had received emails and phone calls of solidarity from many other Christians who disagree with the Senator's comments. Although Williams reiterated that as a Christian it was his hope that Hindus receive Christ as their savior, he added that he did not intend to offend Hindus and would never, in his official capacity, discriminate against anyone on the basis of their beliefs. "We certainly acknowledge the Senator's beliefs, but we hold

completely irreconcilable worldviews - that of religious pluralism and religious exclusivism," continued Shukla. "Hindus hold the view that there exist multiple, valid paths to relate to God, whereas the Senator believes that the only true path lies in his. While I may disagree, so long as such beliefs are not imposed upon or used to harass, intimidate, or curtail the rights and freedoms of others through mechanisms of the state, provocation, hate speech, fraud, duress, or coercion, he is free to hold them in our great democracy." More angry reactions Meanwhile, Maryland Delegates Kumar Barve (Dist. 17), Aruna Miller (Dist. 15) and Sam Arora (Dist. 19) called for an immediate retraction and apology from the Kentucky Senator. Referring to Williams' derisive remark where he criticized Gov. Beshear for "sitting down there with his legs crossed, participating in Hindu prayers with a dot on his forehead", Barve said: "His words were an insult to all Americans, not just to Hindus. I have served in the Maryland House of Delegates for more than two decades and have never heard an elected official use such reprehensible language toward their fellow citizens." "In the difficult times we face," Miller added, "I cannot fathom why anyone would choose to use such inflammatory language instead of celebrating the economic impact and jobs the plant will create." "As a Baptist, I am embarrassed that someone would try to use our faith as cover for such inappropriate remarks," said Arora, an Indian American whose family

immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. "This is the kind of desperate remark we hear from candidates who cling to fear instead of moving our economy forward." "Additionally," said Barve, "Hindus across the globe recently celebrated Diwali, one of the holiest days in the Hindu religion. I believe Mr. Williams could take a lesson from Governor Martin O'Malley who is hosting his third annual Diwali celebration to recognize the valuable contributions of the IndianAmerican community. I sincerely hope that every Indian-American elected official will join me, Delegate Miller and Delegate Arora in condemning Mr. Williams' hurtful words." Ohio State Representative Jay P. Goyal (D-Mansfield) accused Williams of being bigoted and insensitive to foreign cultures and religious traditions. "Williams' remarks are shameful and should be condemned by Kentuckians and Americans alike," said Rep. Goyal. "We live in a world today where we should be aiming to be more accepting of other cultures, and instead we have people like David Williams saying very insensitive things that deride others for showing a sense of respect for other cultures. Williams should be celebrating the creation of new jobs in his state, not stooping to an

Senator David Williams

offensive and desperate political attack." The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) too released a statement strongly condemning the disparaging remarks by Williams. USINPAC Chairman Sanjay Puri said, "It is unfortunate that instead of appreciating the large number of jobs and investment the plant will bring to Kentucky, candidate David Williams choose to display such intolerance and disrespect towards the religious sentiments of the Indian-American community. The voters in Kentucky are a diverse and tolerant community, and candidate William is misguided to assume that such desperate remarks would bring him more votes." According to the 2011 Census Kentucky is home to 12,501 Indian-Americans.

Wells Fargo donates $300,000 in scholarships to Asian students India Post News Service

NEW YORK: More than 500 outstanding Asian Pacific American high school and college students were awarded scholarships at the Nov. 1 APIASF annual benefit at the Hilton New York. Scholarships ranged from $2,500 to $8,000 individually. More than half of the awardees come from families that live at or below the poverty level, and other recipients are otherwise of low-socioeconomic status. Many of the scholars are the first in their family to attend college. Wells Fargo & Company, a founding member of APIASF, has donated more than $300,000 in scholarship funding in 2011 to South Asian and Chinese American high school students in need.

With its latest pledge of an additional $25,000, Wells Fargo has

donated more than $1.5 million since 2003.

"Thanks to the APIASF scholarship program, my dream to attend college has become a reality," said Rakhi Agrawal, a sophomore attending Columbia University. "I am grateful to organizations like Wells Fargo that make the APIASF scholarship program possible and encourage deserving students like myself to realize our fullest potential." "In addition to funding, this year Wells Fargo has donated human capital to APIASF as well. Thirty four of our team members spent more than 300 hours of their personal time reading over some 900 scholarship applications," said Nancy Wong, Asian Segment Manager at Wells Fargo. The 6th Annual APIASF Scholarship Benefit brought together leading educators, community

representatives, and business leaders who are committed to making higher education more affordable and accessible to those in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. As part of the event, APIASF also hosted a free career development workshop for students and young professionals in the area. In addition to representing 43 states, Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and American Samoa, scholarship recipients also belong to one of the 48 different racial categories (US Census Bureau) within the AAPI community including Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Chamorro, Chinese, Filipino, Native Hawaiian, Hmong, Indian, Korean, Laotian, Samoan, Vietnamese, and Yapese.

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Engendered to hold 'Rock for Rights' in Delhi

Sikhs protest in Canada over 1984 riots India Post News Service

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Engendered, the New York City based transnational arts and human rights organization is having its inaugural event in India, Rock for Rights (RFR) 2011, in collaboration with Delhi based organization Queer Delhi.

India to Pakistan, artists and bands who will come together with the power of music to create a platform to speak of human rights, choice, dignity and social justice. The concert coincides with Delhi's Pride festivities including Pride March that is scheduled for November and provides the per-

Says featured concert artist Rekha Bhardwaj, ‘The power of music, especially Sufi traditions allow great freedom and fluidity. I am excited to add my voice to Rock for Rights, and the cause of equal human rights for everyone’ In solidarity with all gender, sexual and minority rights movements in South Asia, RFR is a historic live music concert and party on Nov 27 at the Lalit Hotel in New Delhi. The concert brings together some of South Asia's most explosive musical talents crossing genres and nations from Sufi to electronic, folk to rock,

fect platform to show solidarity for the queer community that is still fighting for its rights. Says featured concert artist Rekha Bhardwaj, "The power of music, especially Sufi traditions allow great freedom and fluidity. I am excited to add my voice to Rock for Rights, and the cause of equal human rights for everyone, and a

life of dignity, choice and freedom irrespective of their personal choices or gender identity." "The performing arts in South Asia remain spaces of great transformation, music specially remains one of the most effective and powerful ways to change societies like ours that are still fraught with silences around issues of gender, sexual and human rights. We are thrilled to have so many voices joining us to amplify our mission of using the popular to blow up the marginal," says Myna Mukherjee, director for Engendered. "The impact of violence and exclusion to those who are marginal challenge us to broaden and strengthen our language of human rights. We must work to make them not just inclusive but effective. This concert allows different voices against marginalizations to come together in solidarity and do just that. Rock for Rights both celebrates and voices resistance to and beyond South Asia and the Diaspora, reminding us of everyone's part in creating an equal world with equal tomorrows for everyone."

TORONTO: Hundreds of Sikhs in Canada demonstrated outside the Parliament in capital city Ottawa, demanding justice for victims and families of the 1984 antiSikh riots in India. The protesting Sikhs got support from some Canadian lawmakers, who said perpetrators of such violence should be brought to justice, a statement by USbased Sikh advocacy group Sikh For Justice said. Jim Karygiannis, MP (Scarborough-Agincourt) and former lawmaker Sheila Copps, who is currently running to become the President of the Liberal Party of Canada, while addressing the justice rally, emphasized the need for accountability and the denial of justice to the victims of November 1984. Conservative lawmaker Parm Gill spoke in the House of Commons about the “denial of justice” to the riot victims and their families. The riots broke out in India’s

capital New Delhi following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Canadian Sikhs have also launched a signature campaign to press on the newly elected Parliament to

stand with the victims of the riots by conducting a debate on the issue. SFJ aims to collect 100,000 signatures in support of the community’s demand to bring forward a “Genocide Motion” in Parliament, SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said.

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India to move towards PTA with Pakistan ADDU, Maldives: With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declaring that time has come to write a "new chapter" in the history of two countries, India has decided

with Pakistan under SAFTA that will lead to zero customs duty on all traded goods by 2016 came as Singh met his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the margins of the

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meeting the Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Raza Gilani, on the sidelines of the 17th SAARC Summit, at Adu Atoll in Maldives on November 10

to move towards a Preferential Trade Agreement with Pakistan as both sides agreed to put in place a liberalized visa regime soon. The decision to move towards a Preferential Trade Agreement

17th SAARC summit here. The two leaders also agreed that bilateral trade will be conducted on Most Favored Nation (MFN) basis. During their hour-long meeting, both leaders decided to put

in place a liberalized visa regime that is being negotiated at the earliest and revive the Indo-Pak Joint Commission that has not been in operation since 2005. The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) is an agreement reached in the 2004 SAARC summit in Islamabad which created a free trade area of 1.8 billion people in Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The decision to take the bilateral engagement to a new level came in the two Prime Ministers' third meeting in the last 18 months after their talks at the 2010 SAARC summit in Thimphu when they decided to resume bilateral dialogue. It also comes on top of Pakistan deciding to confer MFN status to India, 15 years after New Delhi granted such a status to Islamabad. After some flip-flops in Pakistan following its last week decision, it has been clarified at the highest level in Pakistan that it will not backtrack on its decision.-PTI

Indian warships keep watch in Maldives for SAARC NEW DELHI: Acting on a reHowever, they refused to diquest from Maldives, the Indian vulge details about the number Navy has put in place a security and type of warships deployed ring deploying warships around around the island nation, adding the tiny Island nation, which is the Indian Navy was not 'intaking no chances with the secu- charge' of security arrangements rity of assembled SAARC leaders. there. Two to three warships are India in the past deployed a believed to be in the area. similar security ring with three The Indian Navy has also been warships and helicopters during providing security to Maldives in the 2008 SAARC summit in Co- its anti-piracy operations. lombo. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;At the request of Maldives, we Pakistan President have deployed our warships Yousuf Raza Gilani are among the seven visit- including a Beas Class frigate ing SAARC leaders along with vessels of the who will be in Maldives for four days. Sri Lankan Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; "At the request of Maldives, we have deployed our warships including a India recently deployed a Beas Class frigate along with ves- Dornier maritime surveillance airsels of the Sri Lankan Navy craft in Male and has been sendaround Maldives to provide se- ing a warship or a naval plane to curity to the SAARC summit," perform security roles for Navy sources said here. Maldives in the last two years, Sources said the warships with Somali pirates becoming achave been deployed there to tive close to the island nation. counter any threat of terrorists It has also gifted a fast attack using the sea route to target the craft to the Maldivian maritime summit venue. forces.-PTI

Horoscope

November 18, 2011

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar

NOVEMBER 18TH - NOVEMBER 24TH (November 23 to December 22)

(March 21 to April 20)

udden and positive changes in career will cause lots of excitement in life. You will stay calm and think of long term. Health will improve with change in diet. Your valuable advice will be helpful to a needy person. You may finally receive the much awaited big check in mail this week.

ery favorable week for people dealing in hard ware or gas. You may finally dispose off a property for a decent profit. New employees will be fast learner and efficient. An overseas trip is also in the air for some. Continue with your earlier plans as success is just around the corner.

(April 21 to May 20)

(December 22 to January 19)

ou will be full of energy and try to finish many new small projects well before deadline. News will be good and the planets will help you get cured of all previous ailments. many new doors to make money will open for you. You may go on an important trip with one of your children this week.

oney wise a very favorable week. Gamble will pay off and the rewards will be huge. You will regain confidence too. You may be looking for another car for personal use or to replace an old one. This is the right time to launch your plans forcefully. Friend will send the invitation.

(May 21 to June 20)

(January 20 to February 18)

ou may make final payment on an old debt this week. Opportunity will be good and little more paying and closer to home. There will be lots of movement in ove5seas projects and the contract will be in your hands soon. You will make some plans or arrange a get together with some colleagues from work.

elocation plans can take final shape. Opponents will try their hard but will not succeed. You may be very close to launching another project all by yourself this time. Money will come and disappear fast. You may buy some heavy item for the house. Children will also do better in schools.

(February 19 to March 20)

(June 21 to July 22)

rive within speed limits and park your car at proper place this week. You will get to meet few old friends at the party this week. Money wise things will start looking up from now and on and business will improve too. You may finalize the papers and be ready to file the claim.

ou may buy another car for a family member. Property deal can also get finalized. Money will just pour in from many places. You may also receive a big refund from a government agency this week. You will be relaxed and start working on a small but interesting trip with family.

(July 23 to August 22)

ou will enforce your plans and ideas completely. Most of your attempts will be successful. You will get quick response and results for all phone calls or email you write. Quick victory in ongoing legal matters also possible this week. Physical activities will increase but eat on time. (August 23 to September 22)

ou may have few important things done with the help of a government official not cooperating in the past. New business will be a hit from day one. You will spend some money on immediate family members and buy them some gifts. You will try to completely ignore a close but jealous relative. Keep an eye on employees. (September 23 to October 22)

ou will be looking for peace and little justice in life. Things are within your reach and you do not have to look far off. Money wise you will do fine and meet all your commitments on time and still have lot left. There will be some improvement in relationship matters also.

(October 23 to November 22)

ou will make a very calculated move in career. Results will be positive and almost instant. You have some easy money coming this week. You may go out and spend some money on buying nice cloths or perfume for yourself. Watch out and read carefully before you sign any legal documents. You may be in touch with a government agency to seek some favors.

Sri Lanka arrests astrologer who 'sees' ouster of Prez

popular astrologer in Sri Lanka has been arrested after predicting the ouster of the president, the BBC reports. Police took Chandrasiri Bandara into custody after he foresaw a bad moon rising for Mahinda Rajapaksa and told opposition leaders they'd be taking over in September - on the 9th, to be exact. Astrology is no laughing matter in the country: Rajapaksa himself consults a seer to schedule trips, notes the Guardian. "The crime which Chandrasiri Bandara committed was publishing an astrological column which was adverse to the government," said Tissa Attanayake, general secretary of the opposition United National Party Police said Chandrasiri Bandara told an opposition meeting that the prime minister, Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, would take over as president on 9 September and the opposition leader would become prime minister. It was not clear what the astrologer thought would happen to the president, Mahinda Rajapaksa. The astrologer made his forecast despite Rajapaksa's soaring popularity in the wake of the military's defeat of the Tamil Tigers. Astrology is profoundly influen-

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

tial in Sri Lankan society and Bandara's forecast could be perceived as a threat to his rule. Bandara, who has a weekly television show and writes a political column for a pro-opposition newspaper, is one of the

Chandrasiri Bandara

most popular astrologers in the country. Politicians use favourable predictions to boost their image, and Rajapaksa himself has said he is a devoted believer. He told reporters this year that he often consulted an astrologer for advice on what time to make speeches or to depart for trips.

925-833-7170

website: www.parashar.com

Desi News Grand India Nite celebrations in St Louis ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: The India Association of St. Louis (IAS) recently hosted India Nite for the year 2011. This event was part of IAS year long activities. It turned out to be a huge success with attendance by more than 400 people. The event started at 5 pm with a variety of stalls set up by local businesses and families. The stores vended ethnic Indian dresses, costume jewelry, decorative items and other merchandise. This was followed by drinks and dinner for members and participants. The evening unfolded a variety of entertainment programs including popular Bollywood.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Gov Nikki Haley campaigns for Ricky Gill Details on page 19

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12 India Post

November 18, 2011

MAFS fundraiser: A grand affair HARISH RAO

Details on page 15

Deepavali by Tri-State Telugu Association HARISH RAO

Lamp lighting at MAFS fundraiser

CHICAGO: Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS) hosted its19th fundraising dinner at the Indian House Banquet Hall, Schaumburg themed with the title of "Finding Solution in Challenging Times." It was a grand affair with huge participation by MAFS supporters and well wishers alike rendering heartrending scenes of crossborder bonhomie and harmony. The night started with the lamp

tor and MAFS staff for their dedication and determination and for taking the MAFS objectives to next level. Keynote speaker Michael Gelder, Senior Advisor to the Governor on Health Policy commended Kumar for her various services and advocacies. He then urged South-Asian community to unite and donate generously to this community based organization.

lated Mrs. Santosh Kumar, the brain

Saldef trains next generation of young leaders

behind the organization, for providing

India Post News Service

Details on page 18

and Amrish Singh Gautam, Deputy Speaker of Delhi Vidhan Sabha. They were eloquent in their praise of the activities of MAFS and were cheered by the members of the audience. Addressing the gathering, Deshmukh said, he was surprised to see the various day care and adult care schemes offered by MAFS to community. He congratulated Mrs. Santosh Kumar, the brain behind the organization,

Deshmukh congratu-

Details on page 16

WASHINGTON, DC: Last month, SALDEF successfully held its first Leadership Development Program (LDP), under its new ground-breaking SikhLEAD youth development initiative. From a large pool of applicants, SALDEF selected 17 highly talented and accomplished young Sikh Americans from around the country for three days of leadership training, self-exploration, and development in Washington, DC. LDP is designed to inspire, train, and support a diverse, motivated, and entrepreneurial group of young Sikh leaders as they prepare for a lifetime of community engagement and leadership.

Executive Director Ms Santosh Kumar addressing the meet

solution to ageing. He also urged Mrs. Kumar to start similar Ms Kumar presented with award by Deshmukh, Gautam and Vyas on behalf of the Indian government

lightening ceremony by distinguished guest Vimal Vyas, Swami Devapriyananda and was followed by bhajan prayer by Indira Naik, a Bollywood singer. Opening the forum, Dr. Firdaus Jafri, president MAFS thanked dignitaries, invited guests and the audience for attending this event. She then gave a brief detail of the evening and congratulated Ms Santosh Kumar, Executive Direc-

Emphasizing on various issues such as adult-care and homecare services, Mary Killough, CCP Program Manager IDOA, commended Kumar for her vigor, energy, enthusiasm and refreshing leadership matched by deeper commitment and a devotion to serve needy. Guest speakers from India including Ranjeet Deshmukh, Excongress president Maharashtra

projects in India for providing solution to ageing. He also urged Mrs. Kumar to start similar projects in India. Another such stimulating and exhilarating remark was given by Gautam in Hindi. Commending the South Asian community for preserving their culture and values in a foreign land he lauded MAFS as an inspiring organization. Mrs. Kumar, who seemed overcome with emotion, thanked the

speakers and guests even as she urged community members to support MAFS outreach efforts. She presented a historical overview outlining the group's programs and services. Mrs. Kumar thanked her husband, Pramod, and sons, Prashant and Sagar, for their support and assistance. She pointed out that MAFS is marching forward with a renewed sense of unity and spirit of cohesion. She also appreciated the efforts of MAFS staff and board members for making this event successful. Message from Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago was presented by Chris Zala from the Advisory Council of Asian Affairs for the City of Chicago; he commended Kumar for reaching out to the needy South Asian community through various programs and policies. The other prominent speakers of the event were AL Larson, Mayor of Schaumburg, Rodney Craig, Village President, Hanover Park, Willaaim McLeod, Village President Hoffman Estates, Michelle Mussman, State Rep. 56th District, John Levin, CEO of Age Option, Marta Pereyra, Executive Director CLESE and Naren Patel, founder and CEO of Medstar Laboratory. Earlier, Kumar was presented with leadership award from Govt. of India which was handed over by Deshmukh, Gautam and Vyas. She was also presented with 97th General Assembly House of Representative award by Michelle Mussman. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 14

Community Across America

November 18, 2011

India Post 13

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Diwali and New Year celebrated at BAPS Mandir SANDIP PATEL

BAPS fireworks during Diwali

CHICAGO: People of all ages professing Hindu religion across the world flock to Mandir and religious for darshan and pray for both forgiveness and success in the coming year during the festival of Diwali and New Year. People illuminate their homes with colorful lights, wear new and traditional clothes, share sweets and send well wishes to family and friends. The scene was no different at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bartlett IL; buzzing with joy and excitement all week. "Diwali is a festival to be aware of the inner light of God, and once we understand this, we will experience joy in every moment of our lives," said Pujya Vivekmurti Swami explaining the spiritual significance of Diwali. On the night of Diwali, a vast array of colorful fireworks lit up the night sky in Bartlett where the BAPS temple is located. Thursday, October 27, marked the culmination of weeks of planning and preparation, setting the stage for the most significant ritual of the Diwali events, 'Annakut'. Annakut, which literally means 'a mountain of food', is traditionally offered

Visitors during New Year celebrations at BAPS

to God to celebrate the beginning of the Hindu New Year. "The preparation begins very early in

tiers or steps in front of the Murtis of God. The sweets are placed nearest. As the tiers descend, other foods such as vegetables,

"Diwali is a festival to be aware of the inner light of God, and once we understand this, we will experience joy in every moment of our lives," said Pujya Vivekmurti Swami explaining the spiritual significance of Diwali BAPS Annakut

the morning for us," explained Shashi Brahambhatt of the BAPS youth wing. "The vegetarian food is traditionally arranged in

pulses and fried savories are arranged. A mound of cooked rice, symbolic of Mt. Govardhan, is placed in the center. Today over

1000 food items have been offered to God." Devotees arrived early in the morning dressed in new shervanis and colorful saris to receive blessings. The first aarti of the New Year was performed at 6 am. Diwali is also a time when children look forward to the celebrations. On October 15, the Children's Diwali celebration was held and proved to be as fun as it was educational. The children learned the history and origins of this festival, played a variety of exciting games, ate great food, saw spectacular fireworks, and were given many different gifts and prizes. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide socio-spiritual organization, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Its 3,300 international centers support these activities of character-building. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is morally, ethically and spiritually pure, and free of addictions.

Chandrika Tandon concert to support Vedic Pandits GREG JAMES

John Hagelin, Ph.D., addressing the meet

Ramani Ayer, Director of Global Peace Initiative

MAHARISHI VEDIC CITY, Iowa: Leaders of the Global Peace Initiative hosted a Vedic Visitors Weekend, November 4 to 6 at Maharishi Vedic City in southeast Iowa, attracting Indo-Americans

from cities as far away as Los Angeles and New York. The participants assembled to experience a weekend devoted to peace and all things Vedic: Vedic education, Vedic health, Vedic ag-

riculture, and Vedic architecture. The weekend culminated with Grammy-nominated world music artist, Chandrika Tandon, performing a stunning sold-out benefit concert at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. "The combination of different instruments and Chandrika's voice revealed to me what World Music should be all about," said Vinod Nayagar, a university student who attended the concert. Ramani Ayer, retired CEO of the Hartford Financial Group and current Director of Development for the Global Peace Initiative, who served as a host of the weekend, said, "We invited Indo-Americans from around country to experience how powerful, valuable and rel-

Chandrika Tandon

evant the practical application of ancient Vedic wisdom, as developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi,

is to our daily lives and to the improvement of society." Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 14

Community Across America

14 India Post

MAFS fundraiser: A grand affair

November 18, 2011

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Chandrika Tandon concert to support Vedic Pandits Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 13

Fashion show at MAFS meet Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 12

The highlight of the evening was the fusion dance by Northwestern University, Acapella group which belted out zestful Bollywood numbers that elicited prolonged applause from the audience. 'Around the World', the fusion dance by Northwestern University and a dance by University of Illinois Bhangra Group were the other attractions of the evening. Another presentation that clearly dominated the evening was a fashion show by Trupti Kuwaria. The evening also had a ceremony in which awards were presented to invited dignitaries and MAFS staff. Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Sheila Dikshit, CM of Delhi, Leadership Award was given to Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Ex- CM of Rajasthan, Public Service Award to Raghunaath V Deshpandey, Karnataka Congress president, Excellence Service Award to Amrish Singh Gautam, Outstanding Achievement Award to Ranjeet Deshmukh and Distinguished Service Award to Vimal Vyas. The other awards presented were Appreciation Award given to Michael Gelder, Public Service Award given to Sam Pitroda, Media Award to Prashant Shah, publisher of India Tribune, Management award was given to Prem

Jalota, Employee of the year award was given to Harivadan Patel, Supervisor of the year award was given to Saba Kazi, Public Relation Award was given to Himali Bharucha, 10 years Homecare Aides award was presented to Begum Shakeela, Homecare Aide of the year given to Najma Deriwala, Driver of the year was given to Nisar M. Ghogha, Adult Daycare Service

Another presentation that clearly dominated the evening was a fashion show by Trupti Kuwaria award was given to Pankaj Patel, Food Service award was given to Gulshan Mirza, Volunteer Award was given to Gulshan Gowder and the Kitchen Helper of the year award was given to Tayyaba Bodhari. Melodious musical selections of Indira Naik, Ghazal and Sufi singer, enthralled the audience. She mesmerized attendees with her soul-stirring ghazals and Bollywood numbers. The event was compered by Beena Patel and vote of thanks was presented by Rakesh Asthana, Chairman of the event.

Guests from India and Chicagoland

Fred Travis, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition at Maharishi University of Management in neighboring Fairfield, had his scientific presentation during the weekend on the effects of Transcendental Meditation on brain functioning was highlighted by slides and graphics illustrating the beneficial changes that occur as a result of regular TM practice. From EEG signatures and connectivity maps, Dr. Travis showed how different meditation practices impact different parts of the brain. "Most meditations fall into two categories," Dr. Travis said. "First are 'focused attention' techniques, which require you to concentrate on an object, or a particular word or phrase. The second are 'open monitoring' techniques, which involve being mindful of your thoughts or breath without interfering with them. This approach attempts to still the mind and become an uninvolved witness to activity. But these attempts are on the surface level of the mind," he said. Dr. Travis then identified a third category - "automatic selftranscending" - a process that allows the mind to transcend its own activity. "This is the Transcendental Meditation technique, during which the mind transcends effortlessly, and arrives at the depth of consciousness, the source of the thinking mind, transcendental consciousness, or Samadhi," Dr. Travis said. Dr. Travis said that after several months of TM practice, the brain begins to demonstrate increased connectivity, even outside of meditation. "The brain functions more holistically, which accounts for the meditating student's improved academic achievement. The student is able to absorb, integrate, and express knowledge more effectively," Dr. Travis said. Dr. G.V. Naidu, who traveled from St. Louis to attend the conference, said, "The scientific documentation of 'The Neurophysiology of Enlightenment' by Dr. Travis was impressive. And a subsequent presentation by physicist Dr. John Hagelin was a climax of the conference." John Hagelin, Ph.D., a Harvardtrained, internationally renowned quantum physicist, provided the modern scientific understanding and corroborating scientific research documenting how groups

Vedic Pandits performing Rudra Abhishek

of experts in the Transcendental Meditation and advanced TMSidhi program can neutralize violence and conflict and create world peace. "Extensive research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals verifies that Transcendental Meditation dramatically reduces acute individual stress and its deleterious effects on brain and behavior far more effectively than other methods," Dr. Hagelin said. "But perhaps more interesting and important are the 23 published studies which show that relatively small numbers of people practicing the Transcendental

Pandits in India and 1250 Vedic Pandits in the United States - the number established by research that is sufficient to create a concrete and demonstrative positive global effect. "The Vedic Pandits' daily practice of the TM and TM-Sidhi program establishes their consciousness in Yoga, the pure field of intelligence, at the basis of all creation. And their Vedic recitation from that deep and pure level creates a powerful influence of peace for humanity. This perfect combination of Yoga and Yagya will help create a much higher quality of life for the whole world's population," Ayer said.

Dr. Travis said that after several months of TM practice, the brain begins to demonstrate increased connectivity, even outside of meditation

Meditation and TM-Sidhi program together in a group can reduce crime, violence, and war throughout the entire population," he said. Citing studies conducted in the Middle East showing reductions in war death and violence by 70 percent, Dr. Hagelin said, "There is no approach to peace that has been so thoroughly tested and rigorously established. And now, since the arrival in America five years ago of the large group of Vedic Pandits, there has been a significant decrease in violent crime in America's largest cities. We are mobilizing to add more numbers to the group, to create an even more positive effect in America." Ayer provided a vision of the goal of the Global Peace Initiative: To maintain permanent peacekeeping groups of 9000 Vedic

The Global Peace Initiative is building an endowment fund to create and maintain these large groups of Vedic Pandits in perpetuity. Another sublime highlight of the weekend was the performance by 121 Maharishi Vedic Pandits of Rudrabhsihek. Mohan Pillai from Long Island, New York, who attended the conference with his family, said, "I cannot describe in words what it was like to hear such a powerful chanting of the Rudrabhishekam. The inner feeling was so good that I could understand how such large groups of well-trained Vedic Pandits can create peace." Ayer concluded: "As Indians who cherish the Vedic tradition in our hearts, we should feel very proud that this great knowledge has given us a practical means to create peace in the world."

Community Across America

November 18, 2011

India Post 15

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Grand India Nite celebrations in St Louis ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: The India Association of St. Louis (IAS) recently hosted India Nite for the year 2011.

The evening unfolded a variety of entertainment programs including popular Bollywood, classical, semi classical and regional folk dances

This event was part of IAS year long activities. It turned out to be a huge suc-

Presentation of dance and cultural items by young Indian St Louis artists

cess with attendance by more than 400 people. The event started at 5 pm with a variety of stalls set up by local businesses and families. The stores vended ethnic Indian dresses, costume jewelry, decorative items and other merchandise. This was followed by drinks and dinner for members and partici-

pants. The evening unfolded a variety of entertainment programs including popular Bollywood, classical, semi classical and regional folk dances, songs, skit and standup comedy performed by local and professional artists of all ages. There were more than 20 items in the cultural program that kept the

audience mesmerized for about three hours. The event concluded with a thunderous response from the audience. The attendees were served sweets and delicacies sponsored by local merchants Seema Enterprises and India Bazar. India Association of St. Louis, MO, is a non-profit organization

representing the Indian-American community residing in and around the Greater St. Louis area. The organization's goal is to bring the Indian community together to celebrate India's cultural heritage, educate children about India's history and culture, promote better relationship among communities and assist people in times of distress.

Modern Diwali with traditional flavor

Lamp lighting by State Rep. Mitchell Mossman Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: The Six Gam Patidar Samaj (SGPS) hosted a splendid Diwali Dinner Celebration with SGPS families, friends, and relatives at the Holiday Inn Express in Rolling Meadows, a northwest Chicago suburb in presence of Samaj members and community leaders coming from as far away as Indiana and Wisconsin. The evening highlights were short speeches, delicious traditional Diwali chow and entertainment with noted musical entertainment by Bollywood Dhamka, Amit Ganguly and Bejoya Ganguly. Naren Patel of Association of Indian Americans, Dr. Bharat Barai chairman of Manav Seva Mandir, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Mitchell Mossman State Representative from the 56th District and Dilip Patel. President of

SGPS started the ball rolling with the ceremonial lamp lighting. Naren Patel was one of the primary sponsors of this event Event's Master of Ceremony were Nirav Amin and Chandni

Artist Vaidehi Patel presented with a plaque by Secretary Diptesh Desai

Patel. Dilip Patel recognized and thanked past presidents, board members and volunteers for their contributions to the Samaj. Naren Patel urged the youth to join the Samaj saying, "We need their in-

Six Gam Patidar members and guests during Diwali function (Pics Asian Media USA)

put and support to develop new ideas to increase awareness of SGPS among their peers. Naren Patel presented a plaque to honor board of trustee Raju Patel with thunderous applause from crowd.

Vaidehi Patel performed wonderful Bharatnatyam. This was followed by Bollywood Dhamaka from Amit Ganguly and Bejoya Ganguly. Raffle prizes of $100 Gift Card from Jaya Tours and Travel and $50 Gift Card from Macco Auto Body and RepairCarol Stream were distributed to the winners. The current Board of Directors includes President Dilip B. Patel, Vice President Sanjiv Patel, Treasurer Tushar Patel, Secretary Diptesh Desai, and Joint Secretary Shaunak Patel. The Board of Trustees includes Chairman Raju H. Patel, Vice Chairman Kamlesh Patel, Dilip Patel, Diptesh Desai, Kamlesh Patel, Jatin Patel, Mitesh Patel, Nirav Amin, Pankaj Amin, Rajesh Patel, Ritesh Patel, Sanjiv Patel, Shaunak Patel, Tushar Patel, Vanleela Amin, Virendra Desai and Chandni Patel.

Six Gam Patidar President Dilip Patel with guests (L to R) Raja Krishnamoorthy, Dr Bharat Barai and Naren Patel

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Deepavali by Tri-State Telugu Association

Thematic presentation on Vedas through Kuchipudi ASHWIN PATEL

HARISH RAO

Young local artists performing at Tri State Telugu Deepavali celebrations

CHICAGO: The TriStateTelugu Association celebrated Dasara-Deepavali festivals during its cultural event held at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont, IL on November 5. The auditorium was abuzz with tiny toddlers, young ones, ladies and adults in bright, shiny and colorful costumes. The evening started with sumptuous dinner followed by a fun-filled night of cultural performances from children of all ages and their parents. The host for the evening was a talented and versatile singer, Mridangam artist Angara Sai Ramana Rao. He enamored the audience with his wit and knowledge. The beginning was with little children dancing to the melodious "Vinnaava Yashodamma" item from the eternal classic movie "Maya Bazaar". A mixture of classical and folk performances from students of Lopa Banerjee, Swetha Vijayaraghvan and Lavanya Jonnagadda kept the audience glued to their seats. Graceful Mohiniyattam presentation of Gopalaka Pahimaam by

Janaki Anandavalli and her students captured the hearts of all. The wonderfully choreographed presentation of Bo Sambho and

The beginning was with little children dancing to the melodious "Vinnaava Yashodamma" item from the eternal classic movie "Maya Bazaar". A mixture of classical and folk performances from students of Lopa Banerjee, Swetha Vijayaraghvan and Lavanya Jonnagadda kept the audience glued to their seats Ganesha Vandadam in Kuchipudi and Bharatanayam dance styles by the students of Sobha Tammana and Vanitha Veeravalli respectively was a joy to behold.

The students of Lasyam School of Kuchipudi Dance under the tutelage of Hema Yaddanapudi presented "Balagopalam" depicting the various growing stages of Lord Krishna. It was a pleasure to watch the expressions and emotions on the faces of little kids and the senior students. A skit "TV99" written by Padmaja Rapaka and presented by adults brought laughter to the audience. The evening climaxed with high energy performances from teenagers and young adults. They danced to the fast melodious beats of songs from "Adhurs", and remix of multiple other movie songs. The grand finale of the evening was an electrifying performance entitled "Rebels". This was an aweinspiring dance item comprising backflips, handstands, break dancing, crumping, swing, rock and hiphop. Presented by Anshu Ravula, Jyotsna Kilani, Anand, Shreya Dhingra, Maya Guruswamy, Sidharth Ravula, Vasishta Angara, and Anup Kilani, this item dance brought the audience out of their seats, roaring with joy.

Artists performing classical Indian dance Kuchipudi

ST LOUIS: The Kuchipudi Art Academy of Dance St. Louis, Missouri held its annual fund raising event on Oct 1 at Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, MO., attended by over 500 members, associates and guests. All the amount raised would be utilized for benefiting the "Action for Autism", which is a St. Louis

The dancers presented another message from the Vedas which speaks about the evolution of the universe and nature. The dancers conveyed the message that the supreme power created this world based on the rules of nature and it is the responsibility of the human race to follow them to continue and sustain the balance in nature and

The dancers conveyed the message that the supreme power created this world based on the rules of nature and it is the responsibility of the human race to follow them based charitable organization that addresses the growing need to provide financial assistance to the needy children and families in the Autism spectrum disorder. Kuchipudi Art Academy's feature performance "Vedas" Rules of life was a thematic presentation in Kuchipudi style of dance. This divine concept was conceived and produced by Mrs. Sujatha Vinjamuri, student of Guru Padmabushan Dr. Vempatti Chinna Satyam, the artistic director of the school.

spread love and peace. Kuchipudi Art Academy of Dance, St. Louis, is a dance organization committed to enrich the cultural diversity in the St. Louis, MO. and to widen the horizons of international understanding through dance and performing arts and to devote its efforts to funding and supporting charitable causes in India and the United States. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 18

Mrs Sujata Vinajmoori presenting check to Mr Brad Buechler, President of Action for Autism

November 18, 2011

Community Across America

India Post 17

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Kadva Samaj celebrates Festival of Lights Asian Media Usa

CHICAGO: The Kadva Patidar Samaj (KPS) commemorated the Festival of Lights (Diwali) on Saturday, November 5 at the DuPage Expo Center in St. Charles, a south west suburb of Chicago with attendance by over 850 members and guests The evening started with social hour at 4 p.m. The Masters of Ceremonies were Parthu and Raj supported by Rutu, Yatri, Pankti, Roshni and Pooja. It was great to see the young MCs taking charge throughout the night. The start of the program was with Deep lighting ceremony done by President Narendra Patel and Gita Patel along with the sponsors Harsha

KPS office bearers with members and guests

with other committee members welcomed the guests and offered good wishes for Diwlai and New

not worried about KPS's future. The youth is stepping in and we are proud of them." Following the

"I am very happy with the way KPS has turned out this year and I am not worried about KPS's future. The youth is stepping in and we are proud of themâ&#x20AC;? Artists who performed at KPA Diwali celebrations. (Pics Asian Media USA)

Patel and Chhotalal Patel. This was followed by prayers - Ganesh Stuti, and Ganesh Vandana. President Narendra Patel along

Year. He gave a wonderful recap of the years events and stated, "I am very happy with the way KPS has turned out this year and I am

President's welcome, Bharat Natyam dance was performed by Sharmi Patel. An award and recognition cer-

Lamp lighting by Sponsors Chhotalal Patel and Harsha Patel

emony followed. Former President Jatin Patel was honored for all of his hard work and guidance. Vijay and Asha gave a recognition plaque and flowers to Jatin Patel and Bharti Patel. The live entertainment started with the youth talent show and cultural program. KPS family members' kids and associates' kids performed fusion dances, Garba and beautiful dancing provided by the Junoon Dance Company. Also, the youth did a Diwali trivia with the audience. Interspersed between the dances, there were Bollywood hit songs sung karaoke by various members. Chehar Productions provided the DJ, Dhol and sound. Mafat

Patel from Air Tours and Patel Brothers announced the winners of the Lucky Draw and various gift cards were given. After dinner, the dance floor was open for Garba. Executive Committee for 2011 to 2012 included Narendra Patel (President), Vijay Patel (Vice President), Manoj Patel (General Secretary), Rajesh Desai (Joint General Secretary), Dipak Desai (Treasurer) and Bharat Patel (Joint Treasurer). Kadva Patidar Samaj (KPS) was founded in 1987. Its mission is to cultivate the spirit of self-respect and ethical values among the community by maintaining higher standards of morals in our daily life.

Language assistance for Asian American voters KRISHNA RAJDA

CHICAGO: On November 7, the Asian American Institute (AAI), a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, held a press conference at Devon Bank in support of the addition of Asian Indian language assistance to Section 203 under the Voting Rights Act in Cook County. Speaking at the press conference were AAI's partners from South Asian American Policy & Research (SAAPRI), Korean American Community Services (KACS), Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC), the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBAC), Indo-American Center (IAC), and the Indian-American Bar Association of Chicago (IABA), as well as representatives for the Chicago and Cook County Board of Elections.

Language assistance consists of translated written materials, including ballots, voter registration, and signage, oral assistance via bilingual poll workers and/or on-site interpreters, and pre-election outreach to the com-

2007-2009, 43% of Indian Americans in Cook County, about 38,441 individuals, are eligible voters, with a third of that total being Limited English Proficient (LEP). As a result of the availability of Asian Indian language

Although Illinois' Asian American community has grown by over 40% over the last decade, the state has never seen an Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly munity on the availability of bilingual assistance. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

assistance to Cook County voters, AAI anticipates that there will be record voter turnout from the Indian American community next year.

Since 2000, the Indian American population in Illinois has grown by 52% (by 20% in Chicago and by 57% in the suburbs). Although Illinois' Asian American community has grown by over 40% over the last decade, the state has never seen an Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly. "We at the Indian American Bar Association of Chicago

pledge to use our network and base to help partners recruit and train poll monitors and workers, lead informational talks to educate the community on the details of Section 203 language assistance, and assist the Board of Election in all outreach efforts," stated Salman Azam, president of the Indian American Bar Association of Chicago.

Community Across America

18 India Post

November 18, 2011

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Saldef trains next generation of young leaders

Sangat raises $65,000 at the NYC Bowl-a-Thon

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: On Sunday October 23, 182 enthusiastic bowlers and over 100 cheerleaders participated in the Sikh Coalition's 2nd Annual New York City Bowl-aThon. The event surpassed all ex-

pectations for celebrating the Sikh identity and raised nearly $65,000 to support the work of the Sikh Coalition. Everyone bowled to the Bhangra beats of DJ Kucha and laughed along with Toronto comedian Jus Reign.

Members of the SikhLEAD Inaugural Leadership Development Program India Post News Service

train, and support a diverse, motivated, and entrepreneurial group of young Sikh leaders as they prepare for a lifetime of community engagement and leadership. The purpose of this opportunity is to empower Sikh American youth in becoming effective leaders committed to exploring and realizing both their personal potential and that of the Sikh American community. The attendees participated in a series of activities aimed to help identify their passion, recognize their strengths, and build a stron-

ger sense of identity while building a national network of emerging young leaders. The program provided training and skills for participants to improve public speaking, explore non-traditional career paths and network with leaders in the community. One of the participants said," This program provided me the most inspiring and valuable weekend of my life. I not only have 16 other young leaders who I can call family; I also have developed insights which I will take throughout my life."

Thematic presentation on Vedas through Kuchipudi Cont’d from page 16

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Sujatha Vinjamuri has worked hard with this goal in mind. The school is also involved in promoting many a charitable cause such as 'Crusade to Conquer Cancer,' supporting blind artists in Hyderabad, supporting schools for the blind in Hyderabad, supporting Katrina relief efforts and in September 2008, donating to SAWERAA, an organization that helps victims of domestic violence of South Asian origin in St Louis. The 2009 net proceeds were donated to Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In June, 2010, the school was invited by Bechtel Corporation to perform in New Delhi, India, where net proceeds were donated to Salaam Balak, an organization to rehab homeless children. In September 2010, all net proceeds were donated to 'Autism Speaks'. In June, 2011, the school performed in Hyderabad, India and it donated its funds to Vamsee International School to benefit the physically and mentally challenged children.

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Community/California

November 18, 2011

India Post 19

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Gov Nikki Haley campaigns for Ricky Gill India Post News Service

LODI, CA: South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a respected national leader and the country's youngest governor, campaigned recently for Congressional candidate Ricky Gill in his native 9th Dis-

his family's business, and through his remarkable campaign - that he has the leadership skills to make a difference for the people of the San Joaquin Valley." "Ricky has the right ideas for creating jobs, defending agriculture and creating opportunity through excellence in

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know what a difference a new generation of hope and leadership can make. And I know that the future of the San Joaquin Valley will be much brighter with the energy and optimism of Ricky Gill" trict. Haley announced her support for Gill's candidacy following her appearance at a joint event in Gill's hometown of Lodi. "I am thrilled to campaign for a young rising star like Ricky Gill," Haley said. "Ricky has already shown--through his experience on the California State Board of Education, in community service, in

education," Haley continued. "As America's youngest governor, I know what a difference a new generation of hope and leadership can make. And I know that the future of the San Joaquin Valley will be much brighter with the energy and optimism of Ricky Gill." Gill expressed gratitude for Haley's

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley with Ricky Gill

advocacy of his campaign and leadership on tough policy issues. "I am deeply honored by Governor Haley's support," Gill said. "Her focus on creat-

ing jobs and improving education is a great inspiration to me and to others fighting for the American dream here in the 9th District."

Sikh Parade draws thousands to Yuba City NANCY PASTERNACK

YUBA CITY: Daljit Singh and her friends came from the Bay Area on Novemeber 7 to see their culture celebrated on a grand scale. Though the five women had grown up in India, the Nagar Kirtan, or religious processions they had experienced in the cities of Punjab state, had been much smaller local affairs. "We don't have anything of this scale," said Singh. None compares in size or scope to the annual Sikh Parade in Yuba City, they said of the event that has attracted between 65,000 and 85,000 spectators and participants in recent years. On Sunday, as small children and young men offered freshly prepared Indian food, cold drinks

The 32nd Annual Sikh Parade kicks off in Yuba City

Singh, a member of the Sikh Motorcycle Club of British Columbia,

thing," he said, grinning from his place in the slow-moving proces-

The Five Beloved, bearing swords

The gleaming road bikes, trucked down from Vancouver,

men, each wearing the bright orange turban favored for religious

None compares in size or scope to the annual Sikh Parade in Yuba City, they said of the event that has attracted between 65,000 and 85,000 spectators and participants in recent years The resting place of the Sikh Holy Book

Sikhs awaiting the departure of Guru Granth Sahib

and hot chai to visitors approaching along the parade route, Avtar

grinned broadly, taking it all in. "The rain has cleaned every-

sion on Tierra Buena Road. "And now, it's perfect."

Canada, for the event, inched along, bearing 15 smartly dressed

observances. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 22

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IDCA of Los Angeles celebrates Diwali

On the Red Carpet.

Ashok Jain (Chairman) Raj Jain (Pres) Nirav Shah (Sec).

Hollywood Actress and India Post Reporter Magda Marcella leading the Fashion Show.

JS BEDI India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association (IDCA) of Los Angeles celebrated its 26th anniversary with a Diwali Banquet at a downtown hotel. Attended by about 500 guests the evening began with a social hour and the red carpet. The main event commenced later in the evening after the social hour. To kick off the evening there was a ceremonial lighting of the lamp and aarti by the ladies of

the IDCA family. Unlike most Indian banquets this event was free of long speeches and mutual back patting. The event planners had done their job to perfection and the evening was all about having a good time. The entertainment was planned and choreographed by Rakesh Patel and his company. Called "The Bollywood Dance Costumes" the company has its own troupe of artistes and also provides costumes for Bollywood movies being filmed in the United States. Rakesh Patel is also a dentist with a very successful practice. The stage program commenced with a Bollywood style fashion show. Leading the models on the ramp was Hollywood actress and India Post reporter Magda Marcella. Showcasing a chic two

piece outfit Magda sashayed on to the ramp to a loud applause. Extremely talented Magda has it all

Miracle Mile Girl was screened at the Beverly Hills Film Festival - a major achievement for Magda, all

Artistes from India.

to make it big in Hollywood, showbiz and the print media. Recently, her production

of 22 years. Other models followed doing

Shilpa Mamidi, a former 1st runner up in Miss Asia USA did yet another tantalizing Bollywood performance. Extremely versatile and talented Shilpa has a lot to look forward to

Shilpa Mamidi

of male dancers enthralled the audience with their acrobatic inspired performance.

Rakesh Patel and the Bollywood Dance Costumes Team.

Bollywood dance numbers to popular Bollywood songs. A pair

Shilpa Mamidi, a former 1st runner up in Miss Asia USA did yet another tantalizing Bollywood performance. Extremely versatile and talented Shilpa has a lot to look forward to. Nafees Anand from Bombay enthralled the audience with vintage Mohd Rafi songs. In Bombay he is known as the Voice of Mohd Rafi. Not to be left behind was Sare Gama contestant Prachi Shah, also from Bombay. She rocked the hall with a variety of vintage and contemporary songs. Founded in 1985 IDCA has a current membership of about 110 companies. Each company averages an annual turnover of around 10 to 12 million dollars. Indians play a leading role in the diamond industry thus providing lucrative jobs in and around Surat in Gujarat, India.

AAHOA endorses Economic Recovery Act India Post News Service

ATLANTA: The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), whose 10,000 members own more than 40% of all U.S. hotels, has officially endorsed H.R. 1723 "The Common Sense Economic Recovery Act of 2011." The bill sponsored by Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL) would allow loans of borrowers making timely payments to be consid-

ered in "good standing" for the purposes of satisfying banking regulations. The change would help prevent foreclosures and increase the amount of capital available to be lent by banks. "The lifeblood of the free-market American economy is capital. We support this legislation because it recognizes those borrowers who are making payments on time and it allows banks to re-engage with the small business community to get our economy

moving again," said Hemant Patel, Chairman of AAHOA. "AAHOA stands ready to help lead the growth of our national economy, but we need help from the Federal government to eliminate the restrictions to capital that are holding us down." "Hotel owners create jobs, but to do this we need access to capital. Congressman Posey's bill is a major step in the right direction. We will ask our members to strongly support this legislation,"

said Fred Schwartz, President of AAHOA. H.R. 1723 would classify any loan as a "performing" loan if it meets specific requirements. The loan payments must be current and no more than 30 days delinquent in last 6 months. It must be an amortizing loan, and not funded through an interest reserve account. Currently, H.R. 1723 has bi-partisan support and 51 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

November 18, 2011

Community/California

India Post 21

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United Sikhs opens office in California India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Sikh advocacy group United Sikhs opened its Regional Office in Fremont, California recently adding to its lineup of offices in New York and in 11 countries around the globe. At the opening ceremony on October 22, the organization introduced its work and vision to members of the Sikh American and Bay Area communities. A large gathering of about 300 people including elected officials, members of the civil and human rights advocacy, humanitarian and educational communities; government officials from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US State Attorney for Northern California, the Community Relations Service (CRS) were present on the occasion. D. Paul Montiero, Associate Director of Community Relations at White House was the Chief Guest. Jatinder Singh, Director of United Sikhs, stated, "The center

congratulated the organization on opening its second office in the western region and extended an invitation to discuss any civil rights issues. "United Sikhs played incredibly important role in building bonds with diversities," Haag added. The center in Fremont offers

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fremont is the center of the American Sikh population in the Bay Area, and hence a perfect location for the West coast officeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; D. Paul Monteiro, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement

will serve as the primary institution in addressing the needs of the community in the Bay area." Fremont is the center of the American Sikh population in the Bay Area, and hence a perfect location for the West coast office, he said. "Whether it is mentoring young kids, whether it is feeding needy people, or helping other countries

in natural disasters and whether it is protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of all the people, United Sikhs' work should be saluted," said Paul Monteiro, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement in his key note speech. US Attorney for Northern District of California Melinda Haag

CAIR-LA 15th Anniversary Gala a success JS BEDI India Post News Service

ANAHEIM, CA: Over 2,150 people turned out for the Council on American-Islamic Relations Greater Los Angeles Area (CAIRLA) 15th Anniversary Gala on November 5. Another 400 people watched the events live video stream. The event helped raise about $410,000 to support CAIR-LA's civil rights and advocacy work. Comedian and actor Aasif Mandvi was presented with the "Courage in Media" award. In a speech interspersed with wit and humor, Mandvi encouraged everyone to challenge misperceptions

education programs such as the After School Education Assistance Program, SAT tutoring for high school students, and the youth leadership program. Plans are in place for health programs such as screenings and education, as well as legal assistance programs. Kashmir Singh, Western Region Director of the organiza-

Jandali thanked his parents - who suffered abuse at the hands of Syrian security forces for Jandali's advocacy of freedom and democracy - and hosted a moment of si-

lence for the people of Syria. Also in the evening, Executive Director Hussam Ayloush expounded on the vision for creating CAIR-LA and the Muslim community's support of it. "It is not just about our image, it is not just about tolerance and respect of Islam," Ayloush said.

"We have proudly matured into a community that clearly sees its place carrying the torch of justice and advocacy with other communities that have struggled..." Imam Siraj Wahhaj, religious director of At-Taqwa Mosque in New York, inspired American Muslims to continue to support civil rights advocacy work. Remarks were also delivered by U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-47), Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-37), State Senator Ted Lieu (D-28), City of Bell Mayor Ali Saleh, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. Community members also heard from representatives of other minority groups which underwent historic struggles to find their equal place in the American society.

and will empower the community at large enabling Sikhs to integrate with the mainstream community." Fremont City Mayor Bob Wasserman and Human Services Director, Suzanne Shenfil welcomed the new office and announced the partnership of United Sikhs office with the City's family resource center.

Know Your Rights Forums for Sikhs India Post News Service

Also in the evening, Executive Director Hussam Ayloush expounded on the vision for creating CAIR-LA and the Muslim community's support of it about American Muslims and engage in bridge-building. Composer and pianist Malek Jandali was presented with the "Freedom in Expression" award for composing a song entitled "Watani Ana" in support of democratic movements around the world. After receiving the award,

tion reiterated that, "The office is envisioned to be a substantive resource for the community. United Sikhs is currently looking for an attorney and a community organizer to enable seamless and smooth functioning of the organization. The office expects to handle discrimination law suits

LOS ANGELES: As a part of Saldef's efforts to empower the community and strengthen partnerships with government, it has announced the following Know Your Rights (KYR) Forums for the Sikh American communities of Northern and Southern California in the month of December: December 4th: Guru Nanak Sikh Temple-Buena Park 12-1pm December 11th: Sikh Gurdwara Sahib-San Jose 11-12pm Government agencies and representatives will provide community members with important information about employment discrimination, hate crimes, and government resources. There will be

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, Local Law Enforcement Officials, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Department of Education will be presenting to community members. Additionally, this will be an opportunity to network with government recruiters and discuss employment opportunities. Since 2002, SALDEF has organized numerous educational workshops for Sikh American communities in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Community/California

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Golf tournament to encourage youth India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: International Institute of Gurmat Studies (IIGS) has announced the Captain K.H. Singh Memorial Golf Tournament and Dinner to be held on December 10. This special tournament has been organized to honor the memory of Captain KH

Singh, the founder of IIGS. Captain Singh, also known as Papaji, envisioned organizing a sports day event where everyone can come and play different sports and have fun. This tournament is a small step in fulfilling his vision. Popularly known as "IGS Papa", he dedicated his entire life for the betterment of

others especially the youth by reaching out to them around the world. Papaji was an amazing visionary. Everything he did had a purpose behind it. Keeping up with his vision, the Captain KH Singh Memorial Golf Tournament has been organized. The purpose of this tournament is to have a fun-filled day and also raise funds

for the future of the youth. IIGS will be making a humble beginning this year by offering two scholarships in the amount of $ 500.00 each for college going students. IIGS plans to offer sports scholarships too in order to encourage the youth to participate in sports and represent our community in diverse ways.

Sikh Parade draws thousands to Yuba City

Making rotis for the Sikh Festival

Participants at the 32nd annual Sikh parade demonstrate martial arts. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 19

Their club was formed in the celebratory aftermath of a court case in Canada in 1999. Until the court's ruling, it had been illegal to ride without a helmet - a fact that interfered with the Sikh religious practice of wearing a turban. Sunday's ceremonies in Yuba City, and those of the previous two days, marked Guru Gobind

Singh's creation in 1699 of the Sikh holy book. The 1,430-pages of scripture ended the age of living gurus, and began one that sanctified important gurus of the past. Many spectators carried umbrellas and wore rain jackets over traditional northern Indian clothing or less traditional Yuba City weekend wear. But the rains held off on Sunday, and mud was the parade's only impediment. Dr. Kunchok Dorjee brought Helping prepare food Releasing rose petals on the main float at the 32nd Annual Sikh Festival

his wife and son from Chico to take in the spectacle. The couple, whose families hail from Tibet, lived in exile in northern India before moving to Northern California. "Even in the United States, we maintain our own culture," Dorjee said. "But we identify with the Indian people. We like the food and their good nature." The couple said they want their son, who is in the seventhgrade at a Chico junior high school, to appreciate and understand a multitude of cultures. "He studies world history now," Dorjee said. "And we want him to see things, not only from a book."

Serving food to visitors

Realty Tidbits Â&#x201E; LIC plans real estate venture capital fund

Real Estate

IC Housing Finance Ltd (LICHF), a subsidiary of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), plans to launch a Rs. 500750 crore real estate venture capital fund shortly. "It should happen in two-three months. We have got all the necessary approvals and permission from the government," chief executive officer V.K. Sharma said. "For this, the company will seek funds from domestic institutions, high net-worth individuals and banks. The venture capital's focus will be to invest primarily in urban real estate." The fund will be raised through its subsidiary, LIC Housing Finance Asset Management Co. LICHF plans to disburse Rs. 25,000 crore in the current fiscal, Sharma said. "As there is more demand from real end-users, 93% of our lending is to retail, home loan borrowers," he said. "Rest of the lending is to commercial real estate for construction. Compared to the previous fiscal, the share of our lending to commercial real estate has come down from 12% to 7% this year."

Â&#x201E; Regulator Bill may tighten screws on developers

elling a project without regis tering it with the proposed Real Estate Authority can soon land a developer behind bars, if it involves "criminal intent". Also, the erring builder may be asked to cough up a heavy penalty. These provisions are part of the draft Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill 2011. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation plans to seek public comments on the draft in 8-10 days. The new version has been prepared after extensive consultation with stakeholders and incorporates many changes since the first draft in mid2009.

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Parsvnath plans budget hotel foray

ealty firm Parsvnath Developers has said it will foray into the budget hotel segment and has tied up with Choice Hotels International to offer 20-25 properties across the country. The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Parsvnath Hotels, has joined hands with various existing small hotel owners and will refurbish their properties to offer them to Choice Hotels International which will manage them. "We will launch the first hotel property in Delhi within this month.

Mumbai surpasses Tokyo as world's most populous metropolis

aving been called the rudest, one of the most unliv able, and recently, the most packed city in the country, Mumbai now also has attained the label of the city with the least open space left for its residents. A report released by global real estate consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle Intelligence Services says that Mumbai has just 1.95 sq m open space per capita, which is way worse than Delhi, with 15 sq m per person, and Bangalore with 6.4 sq m per capita. Globally, this is worse even than the world's most populous metropolis Tokyo, as well as New York, and is dismally below the United Nations Food and Agriculture standard of 9 sq m per capita or per person. Currently, claims the study, there are 14 million Mumbaikars on the entire 480 sq km of the city, and they collectively have only 14 sq km - or 2.5 per cent - of public open space with them, which include parks, playing fields and recreation grounds. Incidentally, Chandigarh offers 35 per cent of its city area for open spaces, and Delhi has 20 per cent for gardens and parks. Ashutosh Limaye, head, Research and Real Estate Intelligence Service, Jones Lang LaSalle India, has said in his report, "What I found more disturbing was the non-utilization of Mumbai's natural gifts. An open western coastline of 35 km and a natural harbor on its eastern coast is kept away from people, with less than 10 organized access areas to the sea. With

hardly any water sports and occasional water front parks, the Arabian Sea is reduced to a mute spectator for Mumbaikars." The report also talks about how Mumbai has a 50 sq km vast national park, which is, sadly, underutilized. It has ar-

raises social issues within the city, claims that this is a matter of immediate concern and the government should take steps to protect open spaces. "For a common man, it is difficult to understand what a reserved open place is. If the au-

"For a common man, it is difficult to understand what a reserved open place is. If the authorities put a board defining open space, it would be a bit difficult for people to encroach upon it eas covered by mangroves and wetlands that are meant to be a protected zone without public access, but that are fast being encroached by squatters. Jeetendra Gupta, Mumbai Intellectuals Voices, a group that

thorities put a board defining open space, it would be a bit difficult for people to encroach upon it. However, that's not happening and hence, we see most of the open spaces being encroached and turned into a concrete jungle."

Limaye explained how the crunch is forcing citizens to pay for open spaces - in the form of gardens and pools in a residential complex. "Mumbai's real estate is creating its own family level open spaces in its residential projects. It is clear that only the creme de la creme can afford this. But the aspiration fast trickles down from luxury to high-end and then to mid-end residences where one pays almost twice the money for 'non-residential space' while buying a house. "Creating such spaces artificially on a concrete base means a heavy carbon footprint, higher energy consumption, depriving air space for additional residences that the city requires so badly, and above all taking the property price beyond the sustainable limit for the majority of citizens," Limaye said.

Bangalore most preferred for hotels expansion

Cement price hike pushes construction cost

n the past few years, Bangalore has emerged as the most preferred city by hotel companies for expansion. Hospitality majors such as Indian Hotels Company (IHC), East India Hotels (EIH) and Hotel Leela Venture have all announced plans to expand in Bangalore. While IHC recently launched its third Vivanta By Taj property in the city, East India Hotels (EIH) a few months ago announced its plan to develop a property in collaboration with Reliance Industries, which holds close to 15% stake in the company. Hotel Leela Venture too has plans to use its two acres beside its existing property Leela Palace to develop premium real estate buildings. In addition to these large players, smaller hotel companies such as Royal Orchid Hotels continue to benefit from their strong presence in Bangalore. Royal Orchid currently has five properties in Bangalore. According to industry experts, hotel companies are look-

ing to enhance presence in Bangalore because of the rising preference for the city by leisure and business travelers. The city's pleasant weather and metropolitan culture, as opposed to larger metros like Mumbai, which is over-crowded and relatively expensive to re-

The city's pleasant weather and metropolitan culture as opposed to larger metros, have worked in its favor side, have worked in its favor. Also, in addition to being an IT hub, the city houses many business houses, which provide immense employment opportunities. Rising preference for Bangalore among people has also attracted many real estate players to develop residential properties.

onstruction costs for real es tate developers have gone up by 15-20% in the last three months because of a steep rise in cement prices, says the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO). The industry body claims that cement manufacturers have increased the price of cement by Rs 100 per bag in the last three months and are also creating an artificial scarcity of cement in the market, leading to project delays. "This will surely have an impact on our costs," says a DLF spokesperson. Navin Raheja, president of NAREDCO, alleged that cement companies have a formed a cartel and have raised prices saying the cost of one of their main inputs, coal, has gone up. While cement prices have been going up since August, coal prices have only started rising since mid-October. The industry body has now lodged a formal complaint with the Competition Commission of India against cement manufacturers.

Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

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Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: John Cho ("Star Trek," "Total Recall") and Kal Penn ("The Namesake"), two of Hollywood's leading Asian American actors, reprise their title roles in the highly-anticipated A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. The holiday-themed comedy marks the third entry in the popular "Harold & Kumar" film series (following "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," respectively) and is the first to be shot in 3D. The Kingsgate Films Production is a New Line Cinema presentation,

in association with Mandate Pictures and opens No- Neil Patrick Harris, who returns along with Paula vember 4 in 3D and 2D in select theatres. It will be GarcĂŠs (TV's "Defying Gravity") as Maria; Danneel distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Harris ("The Roommate") as Vanessa; Eddie Kaye Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. Thomas (the "American Pie movies) as Rosenberg; "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas" picks up David Krumholtz ("Mr. Popper's Penquins) as six years after the duo's last adventure. After years of Goldstein; and Bobby Lee ("Pineapple Express") as growing apart, Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel With his in-laws out of the house for the day, (Kal Penn) have replaced each other with new best friends and Harold decides to cover his tracks, rather than are preparing for their respec- come clean. Reluctantly embarking on another tive Yuletide celebrations. But when a mysterious package ill-advised journey with Kumar through New mistakenly arrives at Kumar's York City, their search for the perfect replacedoor on Christmas Eve, his attempt to redirect it to Harold's ment tree takes them through party heaven house ends with the "high and almost blows Christmas Eve sky high grade" contents -and Harold's father-in-law's prize Christmas tree - going up in smoke. Kenneth Park. Joining the ensemble are Tom Lennon With his in-laws out of the house for the day, Harold ("I Love You Man") as Harold's new best friend, Todd; decides to cover his tracks, rather than come clean. Danny Trejo ("Machete") as Harold's father-in-law; Reluctantly embarking on another ill-advised journey Elias Koteas ("Shutter Island") as Ukranian mob boss with Kumar through New York City, their search for Sergei Katsov; and Amir Blumenfeld (TV's "Pranked") the perfect replacement tree takes them through party as Kumar's new best friend Adrian. heaven - and almost blows Christmas Eve sky high. It would not be a "Harold & Kumar" film without Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 26

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What makes Akshay Kumar a true desi macho man John Abraham, leaving the audiences awe-struck. The temperatures started soaring even higher when the film's female leads Chitrangada Singh and Deepika Padukone made their entry. Debutant director Rohit Dhawan was also present at the event. The actors, in their upbeat mood, proceeded to the bar where Akshay and John stunned everyone further by juggling glasses like seasoned bartenders, although they mixed no fancy cocktails but good old desi badaam-pista flavored milkshakes.

Harold & Kumar in 3D Christmas

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: With Desi Boyz, the latest movie featuring Akshay Kumar John Abraham set to hit theaters worldwide on Nov 24, the actors are on an overdrive promoting the film in some novel ways. In Mumbai recently, the discotheque Enigma at JW Marriott in Juhu was literally set ablaze when the ever-energetic

'Desi Boyz', Akshay Kumar and John Abraham, created quite a flutter when they flung their coats to the audience and began dancing to the film's popular number 'English Thumkein' with such infectious vitality that the assembled media and guests cheered and danced along themselves. The star-studded night was highlighted by the live, fire-breathing stunt executed by Akshay Kumar and fellow

So what makes ace actor Akshay Kumar a 'true desi'? "A lot of things," he says. "I eat only and only desi food, I am married to a desi girl, I try talking in Hindi as much as I can, I follow Yoga which is a desi practice and I even have Ayurvedic medicines." And who's the most desi actress he's worked with? "I think Sonakshi Sinha has a lot of Indianness in her appearance," he says. And his final words on being desi: "Whether in London, USA or Australia, what is important is staying true to your roots. That, I believe, is also the essence of 'Desi Boyz'."

Warner Bros. Pictures Cont’d from page 24

Todd Strauss-Schulson helms, marking his major feature film directorial debut. Academy Award®-winner Greg Shapiro ("The Hurt Locker") returns as producer and Mandate President Nathan Kahane, Nicole Brown, Richard Brener, Michael Disco, and Samuel J. Brown are executive producing. The screenplay is by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg, who wrote the previous two movies and directed the second, "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." The "Harold & Kumar" film series began in 2004 with the release of "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle," which was followed by the 2008 sequel "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." Acclaimed for featuring non-traditional Asian American lead characters, the films have garnered a huge cult following.

November 18, 2011

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Two-part 'Creative Sikhs' segment at SAFF India Post News Service

ORANGE, CA: An incredible talent will be participating in a two-part Creative Sikhs segment at the 2011 Sikh Arts and Film Festival being held from November 18 - 20 at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. After the overwhelming success of last year's Creative Sikhs panel, this year there will be two panels of inspiring artists, musicians, actors, athletes, performers and authors one on Saturday, November 19 and one on Sunday, November 20. These panels will feature: Mandeep Sethi, an LA-native rap artist who has performed alongside and shared the stage with musical luminaries such as Ziggy Marley, Afrika Bambaataa, and Dilated Peoples. Fauja Singh, a British Centarian marathon runner who has successfully completed numerous marathons and has set many world records. Mr. Singh has been sponsored by Adidas and has been featured alongside celebrities like David Beckham. Gurmeet K. Sodhi, a television host, producer and one of the youngest South Asian females to launch her own LIVE talk show GS with GS. Jus Reign, a talented YouTube come-

dian from Canada who is known for his hilarious videos that receive hundreds of thousands of views and, Agam Darshi, a well-established Hollywood actress who is currently working as a series lead in the hit sci-fi drama, Sanctuary.

This year there will be two panels of inspiring artists, musicians, actors, athletes, performers and authors - one on Saturday, November 19 and one on Sunday, November 20 Other extraordinary talent to be featured on the Creative Sikhs panels include Kamaljeet Ajimal, Raginder "Violinder" Momi, CJ Virdi, Rupi Cheema Tut, Jas Ahluwalia, and Tej Gill.

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Robert Pattinson roots for Shah Rukh Khan, DDLJ and Taj Mahal

wilight lead pair, Rob and Kristen, may be tightlipped about their offscreen romance, but have no qualms in revealing similar tastes in Bollywood and India Have you seen any Indian film? Kristen: I have seen the promos of Ra.One and looking forward to watch the movie. Indian movies are mostly made keeping the Indian audiences in mind. Very few movies are made to create a global impact. I believe Indian movies have a lot of potential. Rob: Yes I have, I have seen Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. I believe the movies made in India are high on emotional aspects. Is there an Indian actor that you are particularly fond of? K: Shah Rukh Khan, I think he is a charmer. R: Shah Rukh Khan, is the actor I know and hence the one I like. Do you think that given the song-n-dance routine, Indian films are a little removed from reality? K: May be, they look a little unrealistic, but that's ok I guess. They are a part of the Indian movies and really influence the success of the movie

R: No I haven't been to India, but would love to visit the Taj Mahal and Kashmir. A lot of Hollywood and UK filmmakers are coming to India to particularly focus on the country or its underbelly. Would you do the same?

I haven't been to India, but would love to visit the Taj Mahal - the epitome of love - and Mumbai, the film capital of India

R: No I don't think so, because the kind of movies made in India sync well with the songs, and I guess the impact of the movies will be nullified without them. Would you act in a Bollywood movie? K: I would love to do an Indian movie. Understanding the differences in culture, both profession-

ally and personally, will be a great and whole new experience. R: Of course, I would love to do an Indian movie - acting and music together, the best for me. Have you been to India? K: No, I haven't been to India, but would love to visit the Taj Mahal - the epitome of love - and Mumbai, the film capital of India.

Zee TV launches Hitler Didi

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Zee TV, the leader of the U.S. South Asian entertainment space is adding a host new shows and movies in the coming months starting with Hitler Didi! Zee aired special episodes of its programs due to popular demand and even had cross over Diwali special episodes recently that were a hit among viewers! Now Zee is bringing Hitler Didi to celebrate the festive season! Hitler Didi premiered on November 7. It

is the story of 25 year old Indira Sharma, a self assured career woman, confident with a strong hint of dynamism. A girl who has no time for things as frivolous as love, for weighing heavily on her shoulders is the responsibility of her family. A family that her father had abandoned for another woman. Indira meets daily challenges at home and at her work place deliberately turning her back on love until it comes into her world quietly in the form of Rishi Diwan! Hitler Didi airs Sunday to Thursday at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT only on Zee TV!

K: I would love to take up a project in India, but to be honest I am not really updated on the prevailing conditions of India, so can't comment which would be the best subject to work on. R: As I said I would love to visit the place, I do not want to have a motive to come India on the very first go. As far as film making is concerned, I haven't considered that yet. I am happy acting as of now.

Who are your favorite Indian actors? K: I like Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor. R: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. With Bollywood collaborating with Hollywood now becoming a norm, do you think the line is blurring between Bollywood and Hollywood? K: Indian Movies have advanced a lot; they are almost on the same level as the Hollywood movies. R: Yes, definitely and that should be the motive. Art should not and cannot be limited within a boundary. A cause you'd like to take up in India. K: Promoting the rich cultural heritage of India would be a good cause. R: Work for poverty What is the most outrageous thing that you've ever done? K: There isn't any - I think a lot and look for logic in every thing I see or hear. R: The pillow biting and tearing in the honeymoon scene of The Breaking Dawn.

Imtiaz Ali turns creative producer for Korean remake

ockstar director Imtiaz Ali will be the creative producer of the official Hindi remake on 2009 South Korean romantic comedy My Girlfriend is an Agent. The project marks Imtiaz's wife, Preety Ali's foray into film production with PI Films. Choreographer Bosco of the Bosco-Caesar duo debuts as the director for the film, UTV Motion Pictures announced. "Most exciting for me is that Bosco is directing it. I don't think many people

knew it was a film we just had to remake in Hindi," said Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO of UTV Motion Pictures. He further added "We showed the film to Imtiaz and he felt just the same. Getting Bosco on board to helm the project puts it in the perfect zone creatively and the whole team is now raring to go."-PTI

The project marks Imtiaz's wife, Preety Ali's foray into film production with PI Films. Choreographer Bosco of the Bosco-Caesar duo debuts as the director for the film know how to put fun on screen like Bosco," Ali said. The film tells the story of two spies, once in love but now at each other's throats, on a mission to stop a Russian crime group from stealing an advanced chemical weapon. "It's great to be collaborating with Imtiaz, Preety and Bosco on this really exciting project. From the day our team at UTV saw My Girlfriend is an Agent, we

Imtiaz Ali

Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'

ochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Strictly speaking, Cochin is a small town. But, Cochin has outgrown its original bounds and is now the general name given to much of the region adjoining the original town, which now includes Cochin, Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many other nearby towns and villages. Cochin is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 31

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Travel & Hospitality Post

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India wins two global awards at World Tourism Mart LONDON: India stole the limelight at the World Tourism Mart 2011 here by wining two global awards - World's Leading Destination and World's Leading Tourist Board, Incredible India. Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai received the awards from Graham E Cooke, President and founder of World Travel Awards, at the Excel Exhibition Centre where he said India planned to have another five million tourists in the next 2-3 years in addition to the five million recorded this year. "We have recorded five million tourist arrivals this year and we want to add another five million within the next two to three years which will help create 25 million additional jobs in the country," Sahai said here. Answering a question on Visa restrictions on Tourists which prohibits a tourist from revisiting the country within two months of the

first visit, he said the issue would be "resolved" soon. "We are going to remove this barrier." Sahai said: "our aim in the Ministry now is to increase India's share in the International Tourist Arrivals from the present 0.6 per cent to 1 per cent (of 1 billion travelers) by the end of 2016." He said, "In India Tourism sector is going to be recognized as the Infrastructure sector. We need two million hotel rooms if we are going to add five million tourists. The infrastructure will be developed by the Central and State Governments on the Private-Public Participation model." Sahai said: "We feel Tourism is the only industry which will help eradicate poverty from the masses. A traveler to India is contributing to the upliftment of the poorest of the poor in the country. We have started late (in developing the tourism industry) but we are on the job

to make it a success." PTI HSR Sahai said India is planning to host the Global Tourism Mart in

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora said: ‘we are suffering from perception problem. Even a minor stone throwing incident is being exaggerated as law and order problem’ Subodh Kant Sahai

New Delhi next year. Answering a question on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,

Kerala mulls strict norms for tourist spas THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With medical tourism thriving in the state, the Kerala government is planning to make licensing and classification regime strict for house boatspas, homestays and ayurvedic resorts to ensure "quality" of services rendered to visitors. Though some of the guidelines are already in existence for the licensing and classification of houseboats and homestays, tourism authorities are aware that there are loose ends in their implementation. A few houseboats and home stays, especially in Kerala's aqua tourism hub Alappuzha, are found to be wanting in the prescribed amenities, Tourism department sources said. The industry is also keen on putting in place clear-cut regulations to ensure quality of service delivered which is vital to the growth of medical tourism. "Kerala has great potential for medical tourism as it combines both the centuries' old tradition of ayurveda and natural setting for world class spas. However, illegal and unregulated mushrooming of spas and resorts have been causing concern not only to the authorities, but also to genuine and serious entrepreneurs," a leading house boat operator in Alappuzha said. The pressure from the industry and the need to keep the high standard of Kerala's brand image of 'God's Own Country' are the prime compulsions for tightening the regulations, Tourism Director Rani George said. The motto of Kerala Tourism is "quality visit experience." Strict guidelines for classification and grading are essential to maintain high standards, George told PTI. "During a recent monthly meeting, hoteliers and tour operators also made a strong demand for making classification norms mandatory," she said.

he said 1.6 million people had visited the valley this year. Jammu and Kashmir Tourism

She also said it was important that tourism and health departments make some joint moves in that direction since ayurveda comes under the Health Department. Placid lakes with palm-fringed villages on banks, sunny and sandy beaches and green-rich uplands provide the congenial ambiance for medical tourism in Kerala. Houseboats have now become one of the biggest money spinners in the domestic tourism sector. As per the industry figures, a total of 580 houseboats and 100 registered homestays operate in Vembanadu Lake along the Kochi-Alappuzha-Kumarakom

‘Kerala has great potential for medical tourism as it combines both the centuries' old tradition of ayurveda and natural setting for world class spas’ stretch alone. But there are more such small and medium facilities which are functioning without proper licenses, sources said. "A large number of Ayurveda spa centers are operating in the state. Though such centers woo many tourists, 'Ayurveda' is not part of the tourism sector. So we are mulling ways to bring such spa centers also under our norms to upkeep the quality of the industry," George said. She, however, said only preliminary discussions were held and a detailed debate involving the stakeholders would be initiated before firming up the regulations. -PTI

Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, who was also present, said: "we are suffering from perception problem.

Even a minor stone throwing incident is being exaggerated as law and order problem. So far 1.6 million tourists have visited the state this year and before the season ends it will touch 2 million." India's acting High Commissioner to the UK Rajesh Prasad and several state tourism ministers including Chagan Bhujbal of Maharashtra, P Rajavelu of Puducherry, Gokula Indira of Tamil Nadu, A P Anil Kumar of Kerala were present. Prasad said tourism was a "significant contributor" to the GDP in India. "Tourism sector contributed 6 per cent to the GDP growth and 9 per cent to employment generation," he said. He said the High Commission in London on an average issue 2,500 Visas daily and efforts were on to provide Visas within three days of submitting the application. -PTI

Tiger experts oppose ban on wildlife tourism NEW DELHI: Terming as "irrational" the demand for ban on wildlife tourism in critical tiger habitats, experts and conservations batted for promoting "intelligent tourism" in such areas. Raising their voice against a PIL filed in the Supreme Court, Travel Operators for Tigers India Wildlife Association (TOFT India) and several noted tiger specialists decried the move as "irrational, hugely dangerous, and not based on sound scientific evidence or proof on the ground." The petition seeking ban on tourism in the reserves in Madhya Pradesh was filed by a Bhopal-based environment NGO Prayatna. Belinda Wright, well known head of Tiger intelligence charity, Wildlife Protection Society of India, said she recognizes the need for well-managed wildlife tourism. "Guides, naturalists and many lodge owners are often the best eyes and ears of a park, and many a time we have heard intelligence about illegal activities coming from

them before the authorities," Wright, whose family is one of the original lodge owners in Kanha, said. She pointed out that it was independent researchers, guides and lodge owners who invited the attention of world to Panna, which lost all its tigers by 2008. "Wildlife tourists, who carry camera's not axes, do not poach, do not graze cattle, do not submerge forests with dams, do not gouge out holes for mining, clear fell trees for roads or industrial parks is being unjustifiably blamed for killing tigers," claimed Vishal Singh, head of TOFT in India. Valmik Thapar said intelligent tourism plays a critical role in protecting wilderness and all its endangered species "After spending 35 years working with tigers, wildlife and tourism and writing 21 books including two on African Wildlife I am certain that intelligent tourism plays a critical role in protecting the wilderness and all its endangered species and this both in core and outer buffer areas," he said. -PTI

JNPT signs MoU with Venice Port Authority CHENNAI: In a move aimed at enhancing trade relations between India and Europe, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust have signed a memorandum of understanding with Venice Port Authority. "This event is an important milestone for Indo-Italian trade cooperation and more particularly for collaboration for JNPT and Port of Venice. These two ports are entering into a new era of mutual friendship in maritime activities", Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan said. He was speaking to reporters after rep-

resentatives of the two ports exchanged documents in his presence. Stating that JNPT expects to strengthen the relationship and enhance direct shipping to and from Venice, he said the MoU is bound to be a mutually advantageous relationship for not only the two Ports, but for trade of both countries. He said Port of Venice, visited by over 2 million passengers every year and the first home port for cruise ships, could share its expertise with JNPT on promoting tourism related activities in India. -PTI

November 18, 2011

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Kochi: Strategic importance of 'Queen of Arabian Sea' Cont’d from page 29

Ernakulam is also the name of a town - the administrative capital of Ernakulam district - but, for all practical purposes Ernakulam and Cochin, generally, refer to the same place. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'. History: Like most cities in In-

Tourist boat

dia, Kochi has a very long and illustrious history. But, the origin of the name is still shrouded in mystery. Many theories exist, but none are strong enough to be conclusive. Some historians believe that Kochi is a modified form of the word 'Cochazhi' which in Malayalam means 'small sea'. Others are of the opinion that 'Kochi' was named so by the Chinese. According to them, traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan, gave Kochi the name of their homeland. The peculiar Chinese fishing nets found here, the only place outside China where it has been spotted, can possibly be attributed to the heavy Chinese influence the city has had in the past. Still another theory is that Kochi is derived from the word 'Kaci' meaning 'harbor'. Cochin harbor: Kochi earned a significant position on the world trading routes after the world famous port at Kodugallur

(Cranganore) was destroyed by massive flooding of the river Periyar in 1340 AD. Records show that Kodugallur (Cranganore) was known to the Arabs and Chinese traders for centuries. After the Kodugallur port was destroyed, the forces of nature created a natural harbor at the nearby city Kochi. Kochi started to grow and soon developed into a major trading point dealing in pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, etc., which were and still are famous for their quality. The Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, Italians and Portuguese helped Kochi emerge as a bustling

prosperous town. The ruler of Kochi gave the Portuguese permission to build a fort at Kochi called 'Manuel Kotta' (Fort Emmanuel) which is the first European fort in Kochi. The Dutch invasion began around 1653 and by 1663 they emerged victorious over the Portuguese. The Dutch then built Fort Williams here. The Dutch were defeated by the great rulers of Mysore - Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Finally, when the whole nation lost to the British, Kochi too became a part of the British Empire in 1814. The magnificent forts built here were destroyed by the

by the unification of provinces Kochi, Malabar and Travancore. The Corporation of Kochi was formed in 1967 by the merger of the towns - Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many nearby villages. Growth in trade and commercialization has led to the rise of Kochi as the most important city in Kerala and one of the major cities on the west coast of India. Things to do Boat ride: The backwaters separating Ernakulam from Fort Kochi and Mattanchery are dotted with many small and mid-sized

islands. A boat ride through the backwaters is an unforgettable experience. Kathakali performance: See India Foundation (Kalathiparambil Road, near the Ernakulam Junction railway station), The Cochin Cultural Centre (Manikath Road, behind Medical Trust Hospital) and Art Kerala (Kannanthodathu Lane, near Valanjambalam Temple) organizes Kathakali performances every evening. Kathakali is a traditional dance form of Kerala and the impressive facial expressions, hand gestures and dance moves will leave one spellbound.

Fishers trawling in traditional boats in the backwaters. Kochi is a major exporter of seafood.

centre of commercial activity, connecting the mainland to the rest of the world. Kochi owes a lot to great travelers, scholars and traders like Fa Hien, Vasco da Gama, Sir Robert Bristow, etc. to her growth and prosperity. The English called Kochi 'Mini England', the Dutch called it 'Homely Holland' and the Portuguese called it 'Little Lisbon' highlighting Kochi's prominence. Italian traveler Nicolas Conti wrote in his travelogue: "China is where you make your money, then Cochin is surely the place to spend it." Local and foreign rulers: Over the centuries, the princely state of Kochi came under numerous empires. Over time, the original local rulers were controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and even the Zamorin of Kozhikode (Calicut). Around 1530 AD, under the Portuguese, Kochi grew into a

British. Under the supervision of Sir Robert Bristow, Kochi was developed into a major harbor and Willingdon Island was created. Willingdon Island now accommodates the Cochin Port, Naval Airport and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command apart from a host of other trading and commercial establishments. Post-independence: After India became independent in 1947, the state of Kerala was formed in 1956

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Saada Haq: Rockstar 2 Tum Ho: Rockstar 3 Hawaa Hawaa: Rockstar 4 Bhare Naina: Ra.One 5 Raftaarein: Ra.One 34

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November 18, 2011

6 Criminal : Ra.One 7 Chammak Challo: Ra.One 8

Madhushala: Damadamm

9 Habibi Habibi: Azaan 10 Khuda Ke Liye: Azaan

ipasha Basu had last left her admirers drooling with her hot bikini act in 2006 for 'Dhoom 2'. Once again the sexy Bong beauty is out to raise the hotness quotient with a two piece bikini in her forthcoming multi-starrer 'Players'. Bipasha says that she loves being in water and so was very comfortable with the bikini. Her only concern with such scenes is that they should be shot aesthetically and swears by the work of cinematographer Ravi K Chandran at the scene. This particular scene was shot in Wellington in New Zealand where the water was freezing cold. Besides, the scene was scheduled to be shot early in the morning and so Bips had to miss out the fun at Abhishek Bachchan's birthday party the previous night. After considering various options for the bikini, she finally settled for one from her personal wardrobe. Talking about wearing a bikini in 'Dhoom 2', Bipasha Basu said, "At that time, I was just thin. Today I am fitter and curvier." Bipasha also plans to launch a workout routine to help women attain a perfect beach body.

ince the time Dabangg's 'Munni Badnaam Hui' item number became a rage, Sonakshi Sinha had openly expressed her wish to do an item number and sure enough, her desire is getting fulfilled in her forthcoming 'Joker' in which she will be seen gyrating to an item number choreographed by Saroj Khan. However, Sonakshi will not be the only one adding to the oomph quotient in the film with her sexy moves. Reports have it that Chitrangada Singh, too, has been roped in for an item number in the movie. Chitrangada's song titled 'Kaafirana' will be choreographed by Farah Khan. There were reports claiming that director Shirish Kunder had asked Sonakshi to lose weight for the item song. However, the actor isn't amused with the "ridiculous" news. "Such reports come out without checking with Shirish or me. It's in bad taste because you (media) are being personal and ridiculous. If it were true, I wouldn't have five films lined up," she said. Akshay is quite kicked about the film. "Joker is a funny, emotional story loaded with SFX. And Shirish is the perfect guy to direct it given that he has studied the technique," Kumar said.

Never dated?

nushka Sharma is one Bollywood actress who has always been in news, ever since she stepped into films. Rumors about her off screen relationship with Ranveer Singh has not yet closed down, the latest we hear is that, the actress is all praise for Ranbir Kapoor and that she is trying her best to woo him. Now, one reason for Anushka wooing Ranbir may be, she wants to grab the female lead opposite him, in Ayan Mukherjee's next: Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. However, this rumor hasn't gone down well with Anushka. According to her, hanging out with Ayan and Ranbir, is not gaining her any professional benefits. Talking about Ranveer Singh, Anushka says, she never was in a relationship with the actor, blaming it all on the media for the false buzz. Also, rumors about the duo being in a relationship just for publicity for their upcoming movie Ladies V/s Ricky Bahl, fumed up the actress. Anushka also stressed on the fact that she is single and has never been on a formal date with any guy!

November 18, 2011

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inally all rumors about the female cast in Race 2 come to an end, with Deepika Padukone confirming the news about she being in it. Deepika was the original choice of the makers and they are very glad they have her finally. A source says, "After Katrina Kaif's sizzling chemistry in Race, the producers and directors were keen to take the sizzle quotient to the next level in the sequel. And Deepika has that oomph and sex appeal to take that chemistry a couple of notches ahead." Citing date issues, Deepy had opted out of Race 2. However, the dates have been sorted out and DP has confirmed her presence in the film, herself. She is being paid a huge fee, too. Deepika will be acting opposite Saif Ali Khan, marking this as her fourth film with the actor. Deepika tweets, "And the 'RACE' beginsâ&#x20AC;Ś". She has started shooting for the flick already.

lumdog Millionaire stars Freida Pinto and Dev Patel have moved into a USD 1.5 million rental home in Los Angeles. To spend more time together and to know each other better, the couple decided to go for a live-in relationship. Dev and Freida have been going strong for a long time, their love story kick started on the set of 'Slumdog..', ever since the duo were together. Pinto were recently spotted in a loose-fitting pink vest top with black jeans and a pair of black sandals with boyfriend Dev carrying a large box into their new home. Pinto had recently said she won`t give up her relationship for her career but will always keep a balance between the two. "We recently realized we need a rule like that, because every time we think we're going to be together, something work-related comes up. But we can't put our careers on hold for this. We're not at the stage where we have the privilege to turn things down. So we'll say, `You have two days off? Let's find a way to meet up`. I think you can always make it work if you want to."

In Brief Kemp: immigration law could delay licenses ATLANTA: Georgia's secretary of state says the state's new law targeting illegal immigration could delay professional licenses. A provision of the law that takes effect Jan. 1 requires people applying for public benefits, which include professional licenses, to prevent a ``secure and verifiable'' form of identification. Secretary of State Brian Kemp tells The Atlanta JournalConstitution it currently takes his office about 30 days to process new licenses and about two weeks for renewals. Kemp says the increased paperwork could delay approval times by 90 to 120 days. License applicants can submit copies of their identification electronically, but hand-delivered documents have to be scanned and attached to applicants' files. Kemp says he's working with the governor's office and seeking more funding to increase his staff. -AP

Biz deadline delayed due to immigration law MONTGOMERY, Ala.: Alabama has pushed back the deadline for businesses to get their state and county licenses because of difficulties with the state's tough new immigration law. State Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee signed an order extending the deadline from Oct. 31 to Nov. 30 ``due to the hardship placed on Alabama businesses'' that could not obtain or renew their licenses in October ``due to technical difficulties'' with implementing the immigration law. -AP

Ala. bosses go to school to learn immigration law DOTHAN, Ala.: Alabama's new immigration law brings with it mounds of paperwork and lots of red tape for businesses that want to make sure their employees are properly documented. The headaches come for all businesses, big and small. Paige Gray, office manager at Ken Cox Ford in Troy, said she knows her company's 24 employees are in compliance, but she will go through their paperwork item by item to make sure. She said employees are already required to fill out forms called I-9s to confirm their immigration status. -AP

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Perry endorses work visas for illegal immigrants AUSTIN, Texas: Texas Gov. Rick Perry says America should extend work visas to allow illegal immigrants to move freely between the US and their home countries but opposes a path to citizenship. -AP

Arizona immigration law architect ousted in historic recall election Pearce voiced determination, but no regrets. `Ì'm grateful for the battles that we've won,'' he said, adding later, `Ìf being recalled is being the price for keeping these promises, then so be it.'' Pearce didn't explicitly say that he was conceding, but campaign spokesman Ed Phillips later said that was the lawmaker's intent. `Ìt was a concession,'' Phillips said.

Arizona State Sen. Russell Pearce, the sponsor of Arizona's groundbreaking immigration enforcement law, was voted out of office in an unprecedented recall election

PHOENIX: Senate President Russell Pearce has conceded defeat in an unprecedented recall election, a stunning turnabout for the author of Arizona's tough immigration law and one of the most powerful politicians in the state. With thousands of ballots counted and results in from all 16 precincts, charter school executive Jerry Lewis led with 53 percent of the vote, compared with about 45

percent for Pearce, a margin of about 1,800 votes. An unknown number of early ballots remained to be counted, but Pearce was resigned to defeat. ``It doesn't look like the numbers are going in my direction with this, and I'm OK with this,'' Pearce said, surrounded by Republican legislative allies, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other supporters.

Political analyst Chris Herstam said Pearce was repudiated by voters who believe the economy, jobs and education should be the first priority - not immigration Pearce was the author of the 2010 immigration law that put Arizona in the national spotlight and was replicated by several states around the country. The recall vote was seen by some as a referen-

Jerry Lewis, the gainer

dum on the Legislature's hardline immigration laws that Pearce has championed over the years. Republicans have said that a Pearce defeat would send a message to GOP lawmakers that they need to take a more moderate approach to avoid suffering a similar fate. Political analyst Chris Herstam, a Republican lobbyist and former legislator, said Pearce was repudiated by voters who believe the economy, jobs and education should be the first priority - not immigration. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 37

H-1B numbers dwindling for FY 2012 CYRUS D. MEHTA

S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on October 28, 2011, that it has accepted (approved or pending) 49,200 H-1B petitions subject to the 65,000 numerical limitation (cap) for fiscal year (FY) 2011. Up to 6,800 visas are set aside from the 65,000 cap during each fiscal year for the H1B1 program under the terms of legislation implementing the USChile and US-Singapore Free Trade Agreements. Also, the 20,000 cap for those with advanced U.S. degrees has been reached. By contrast, last year as of October 29, 2010, only 16,700 had been used. The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL) recommends that employers needing H1B workers file quickly. Once the numbers under the cap are gone, the next opportunity to file will be

April 1, 2012, for work to begin in FY 2013. More information on the cap count is available at http:// www.uscis.gov/h-1b_count. Back to Top EB-2 India, China EB-2 Visa Numbers Jump; Other Visa News

levels of demand based on new filings for adjustment of status at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices. While significant future cut-off date movements are anticipated, they may not be made on a monthly basis. Readers should not expect such move-

The 20,000 cap for those with advanced US degrees has been reached. By contrast, last year as of October 29, 2010, only 16,700 had been used The November 2011 Visa Bulletin includes the following information: The November employmentbased second preference cut-off date for applicants from China and India is the most favorable since August 2007. This advancement is expected to generate significant

ments to be the norm throughout the fiscal year, and an eventual retrogression of the cut-off at some point during the year is a distinct possibility. In recent remarks, Charles Oppenheim of the Department of State's Visa Office discussed predictions for employment-based

visa numbers. Among other things, Mr. Oppenheim anticipates that in December 2011, the EB-2 priority date for China and India will move to March 1, 2008, and there could be additional movement in January and February. After that movement, these two categories may slow down and possibly retrogress later in the year. Mr. Oppenheim predicted that the EB-3 category for Mexico, Philippines, and most other countries should move forward one month every month. The EB-3 category for China is expected to advance one to three weeks per month in the near future. Prospects for India's EB-3 category do not look so promising. There are 54,000 cases pending since 2007, and many more with subsequent priority dates that have not yet been filed. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 38

Immigration Post

November 18, 2011

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Big drop in immigrant arrests at Arizona border PHOENIX: The number of illegal immigrants caught by the Border Patrol during the last year in southern Arizona dropped by more than 40 percent, the head of US Customs and Border Protection said. Alan Bersin told the Arizona Republic that about 123,000 illegal immigrants were arrested in the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector between October 2010 and September 2011. That's a 42 percent decrease from the 212,000 detained the previous 12 months. The much smaller Yuma Sector saw its arrests go from 7,115 to 5,833, an 18 percent decline. Illegal immigrant arrests along the entire US-Mexico border peaked at 1.6 million in 2000, including more than 616,000 in the Tucson Sector. The numbers are preliminary. Official statistics won't be released for several weeks, but Bersin revealed the totals to Border Patrol agents in Nogales and later to the Republic. ``This is the year we close the lid on this sector,'' Bersin told The Republic. Total arrests across the entire US Mexico border for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 are ex-

pected to be at their lowest levels since 321,000 in 1972. Bersin toured the border last week with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The Obama administration has deployed National Guard troops and has been adding new fencing, technology and agents along

Arizona has been the most popular gateway for clandestine border crossings for years and a flashpoint in the national debate the border to make it more difficult to cross illegally. They also have been beefing up immigration enforcement and added more border agents. In fiscal 2011, deportations were at an all-time high. Those factors, coupled with the grim US job market, have driven the number of arrests down. Erik Lee, associate director of the North American Center for Transborder

Studies, a think tank based at Arizona State University, said Mexico's booming economy also creates less incentive for illegal immigrants to head to the US to find jobs. Arizona has been the most popular gateway for clandestine border crossings for years and a flashpoint in the national debate over illegal immigration. Politicians routinely demanding that the administration secure the border. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a critic of Obama administration's border policies, acknowledged that the government buildup has had some positive results, but he said there remains more to be done to secure the border. Overall, the measures still have not ``kept up with the escalation of violence on the other side of the border,'' which poses a threat to the United States, McCain said. Fencing and technology is still insufficient and a larger National Guard presence is needed at the border, he said. ``I not only acknowledge but am pleased to note some improvements. I just don't think there have been enough,'' said McCain, who sits on the Senate Homeland Security and GovernmentalAffairs Committee. -AP

Arizona immigration law architect ousted in historic recall election Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 36

``The Legislature remains extremely conservative but with regards to making illegal immigration their top priority, this should be a warning shot across the bow,'' Herstam said. A Pearce loss means that Lewis replaces him in the district's Senate seat and that majority Republicans would have to pick a new president to lead the legislative chamber. Pearce accumulated a large amount of power as he rose through the ranks of the legislature to become leader of the Senate. Republicans hold more than a twothirds advantage in the body, giving the party enough votes to easily advance its conservative agenda in GOP-dominated Arizona. As a result, Pearce and his colleagues have taken a forceful role on conservative causes including business tax cuts, school private school vouchers, abortion limits, gun rights, union restrictions and immigration. The recall election, forced by a petition drive, was the first for an Arizona legislator. Recall supporters and Lewis'

campaign did not emphasize the immigration issue, but it was one of the factors in the race. ``Certainly the immigration issue is important to many people including myself,'' Lewis said. ``We need to bring a civil tone to that discussion, a professional approach to solving it, an approach that is reasonable and won't be ... in the courts for years to come.'' Key provisions of the law were put on hold by a federal judge before they could be implemented, but Republican Gov. Jan Brewer is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let it take effect. The law's enactment gave Pearce national notice as a leading proponent of Arizona's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. He previously won enactment of a 2007 state law requiring employers to use a federal database to check new employees' work eligibility. However, the 2010 law led to protests and boycotts of the state, and business groups urged legislators to take a timeout on the issue and to instead push for federal action. That opposition led the Arizona

Senate last spring to dramatically reject a handful of new Pearcebacked bills on the subject. Pearce had support from Brewer and dozens of other elected Republican officeholders, but he was dogged by disclosures that he accepted numerous free trips from the Fiesta Bowl to out-of-state college football trips. He said he took the trips at the bowl's request to help support its economic role in the state. While Lewis' campaign drew support and contributions from hundreds of Mesa residents, Pearce outspent his 54-year-old challenger by more than a 3-1 ratio and painted the recall advocates as liberal outsiders who were targeting him because of immigration. A third name also was on the recall ballots, but Olivia Cortes withdrew from the race, so ballots cast for her were tabulated but won't count. She had faced a legal challenge to her candidacy that produced court testimony indicating tea party activists orchestrated her candidacy to dilute the anti-Pearce vote. Cortes was getting a little more than 1 percent of the vote. -AP

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H-1B numbers dwindling for FY 2012 Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 36

Only 2,800 are allowed per year. Potentially this could mean 225,000 to 300,000 people waiting in line for India EB-3 visa numbers, including dependents. Mr. Oppenheim noted that over 50 percent of H-1Bs are given to Indian nationals every year; he said the majority will apply for permanent residence. The EB-1 and 2 categories for all countries, Mexico, and Philippines, are expected to remain Current for some time, Mr. Oppenheim said. Last year there were 18,000-20,000 fewer cases filed in the EB-1 category, which allowed more EB-1 China and India petitions to move forward along with some EB-2 adjustments from those countries. The November Visa Bulletin is available at http://travel.state.gov/ visa/bulletin/bulletin_5572.html. USCIS Announces 'Entrepreneurs in Residence' Initiative, Discusses EB-5 Enhancements As part of the Obama administration's "Startup America" efforts to encourage high-skilled immigration into the U.S. under existing laws, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas recently announced the "Entrepreneurs in Residence" initiative to use "industry expertise to strengthen USCIS policies and practices surrounding immigrant investors, entrepreneurs and workers with specialized skills, knowledge, or abilities." Director Mayorkas announced the initiative at the High Growth

Entrepreneurship Listening and Action Session at AlphaLab in Pittsburgh, before the quarterly meeting of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness with President Obama. Director Mayorkas said the introduction of expert views from the private and public sectors "will help us to ensure that our policies and processes fully realize the immigration law's potential to create and protect American jobs." USCIS will launch the "Entrepreneurs in Residence" initiative with a series of informational summits with industry leaders to gather strategic input. Informed by the summits, the agency will create a tactical team including entrepreneurs and experts, working with USCIS personnel, "to design and implement effective solutions." Director Mayorkas said the initiative "will strengthen USCIS's collaboration with industries at the policy, training, and officer level[s], while complying with all current Federal statutes and regulations." The initiative builds upon USCIS's recent efforts to promote startup enterprises and spur job creation, including enhancements to the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. USCIS said that since August, it has been conducting a review of the EB-5 process, working with business analysts to enhance related adjudications, implementing direct access to adjudicators for EB-5 regional center applicants, and

launching new specialized training modules for USCIS officers on the EB-2 visa classification and L-1B nonimmigrant intracompany transferees. At a related press conference, Director Mayorkas explained that "[w]e as an agency have been focused in the absence of legislative action to create

USCIS will launch the "Entrepreneurs in Residence" initiative with a series of informational summits with industry leaders to gather strategic input. Informed by the summits, the agency will create a tactical team including entrepreneurs and experts, working with USCIS personnel newer broader pathways for the best and brightest from around the world to come to the United States and really take advantage of the opportunities here to enable our economy to grow and to create jobs for American workers." He said that the administration is "reviewing our policies and our processes to ensure that we are capturing the existing laws and

the legislative intent behind those laws." Director Mayorkas said that "Entrepreneurs in Residence" and what it represents "cuts across all visa lines and is not limited to the EB-5 program by any measure." He said that DHS will be looking at the initiative's applicability in the arts and entertainment arenas, the O and P visa lines, and the H-1 categories. He also noted that DHS does not plan to bring in a large cadre of experts, but rather "to start tactically and surgically" with a small group of people, some working on strategy and some on tactics. He said that DHS is still working out the details and will release more information on next steps later. 'Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act' Bill Heads to House Floor for Consideration Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) introduced the "Fairness for HighSkilled Immigrants Act" (H.R. 3012) on September 22, 2011. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill with changes on October 27. It now goes to the full House of Representatives for a vote. The bill would eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants over three years and increase it for family-based immigrants, from 7 percent per country to 15 percent per country. It also would amend the Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 to eliminate the provision requiring the reduction of annual Chinese (PRC) immigrant visas to offset

status adjustments under the Act. In media releases, Rep. Chaffetz said, "Per-country limits make no sense in the context of employment-based visas. Companies view all highly skilled immigrants as the same regardless of where they are from-be it India or Brazil. By removing per-country limits, American companies will be able to access the best talent." He noted that the current percentage cap "has created a backlog of qualified workers." Rep. Chaffetz pointed out that the legislation will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed workers in the US. but will "encourage high-skilled immigrants who were educated in the US to stay and contribute to our economy, rather than taking the skills they learned and aiding our competitor nations." Co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Tim Griffin (R-Ariz.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Cal.), and Lamar Smith (R-Tex.). It is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Compete America, a coalition of hightech companies including Microsoft, Google, and Oracle; various trade groups including the Business Software Alliance, the Semiconductor Industry Association, and the Information Technology Industry Council; and Immigration Voice, a leading coalition of highly skilled foreign professionals. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

SC labor head: Lawsuits don't alter business rules COLUMBIA, SC: The head of South Carolina's labor agency has said that federal lawsuits challenging the state's anti-illegal immigration law won't affect the law's mandate that businesses check their new employees' legal status. Director Catherine Templeton said lawsuits filed by the U.S. Justice Department and American Civil Liberties Union have no bearing on the part of the law her agency oversees. The two groups are asking a judge to prevent the law from taking effect Jan. 1, and to ultimately throw it out as unconstitutional. A hearing is set for Dec. 19. But Templeton said neither lawsuit targets the requirements that all businesses run their new hires through the federal online system E-Verify, so her agency will begin enforcing those requirements regardless of what happens with provisions specifically challenged. She contends that part is ``in lock-step'' with a U.S. Supreme

Court decision earlier this year upholding an Arizona law putting rules on businesses. Using that May decision, South Carolina legislators tweaked a similar law they passed in 2008 as part of the larger anti-illegal immigration package they passed in June. State Sen. Larry Martin, who helped convince senators to make the changes, said he believes that without them the lawsuits would have targeted the business requirements, too. ``We short-circuited that by taking that action,'' said Martin, RPickens. ``We knew we were likely to be sued on the criminal penalties, but we didn't want to give them a gift horse by ignoring the Supreme Court decision in May, when we obviously had some cleanup work to do. You don't pick a fight you know you're going to lose.'' An ACLU attorney, however, contends the rules on businesses are not completely safe. While

neither lawsuit goes after that part yet, his group's lawsuit challenges the law in its entirety as an overall unconstitutional scheme to regulate illegal immigration. So the entire law could still be thrown out, said Andre Segura of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project.

The lawsuits also target sections that make it a felony for someone to make counterfeit photo IDs In lawsuits against other states' anti-illegal immigration laws, judges have barred specific parts of their laws from taking effect. The lawsuits against South Carolina focus on the requirement that law enforcement officers try

to check the legal status of someone they suspect is in the country illegally. The phone call to federal officials must follow an arrest or traffic stop for something else. While the law says officers can't hold someone solely on that suspicion, opponents say it would encourage racial profiling. The lawsuits also target sections that make it a felony for someone to make counterfeit photo IDs for illegal residents, for someone to transport illegal immigrations or for illegal immigrants to allow themselves to be transported. Justice department officials said South Carolina's law like similar laws the agency is challenging in other states diverts federal resources from high-priority targets, such as terrorism, drug smuggling and gang activity. They contend the laws will result in the harassment and detention of foreign visitors and legal immigrants, as well as U.S. citizens, who can't immedi-

ately prove their legal status. But they don't specifically go after the law's threat to yank the licenses and other documents employers need to operate, if they knowingly employ illegal immigrants or refuse to check employees hired after Jan. 1 through E-Verify. The 2008 law, which took effect in stages, began applying to businesses of all sizes in July 2010. But the changes in June reset the clock on enforcement, and agency officials have spent months re-educating business groups on the law. The changes included getting rid of the fining system and no longer allowing businesses to use a South Carolina driver's license as confirmation of legal status. ``I'm a little bit concerned that despite the fact that we've been educating and educating and educating, come Jan. 1, people will be caught unaware,'' Templeton said. -AP

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Vermont amends policy for suspected illegals MONTPELIER, Vt.: Gov. Pete Shumlin introduced a new biasfree policing policy in which Vermont state police will not ask an individual about immigration status when investigating a violation. The new policy was prompted by the detention of two Mexican farm workers who were passengers in a vehicle stopped for speeding. Some Vermont police agencies have already taken a handsoff approach, focusing on criminal activity and not immigration status. Now, the state police are making that part of their bias-free policing policy, Shumlin and the state's public safety commissioner said. ``This is essentially a situation where the Vermont state police, as have already Burlington police and Middlebury and a number of sheriffs departments ... have adopted a policy that says: `Our main focus is going to be Vermont criminal statute violations and we're not going to go out of our way to one: investigate just simple immigration law violations, and two: we're not going to feel compelled in every instance that doesn't fit

federal enforcement priorities to turn those individuals over to federal authorities,''' said Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell. The policy with a new section on immigration and citizenship status says state police will not ask an individual about his or her immigration status when investigating a civil violation, but can ask

Some Vermont police agencies have already taken a hands-off approach, focusing on criminal activity and not immigration status about it in investigations of criminal offenses or suspicious activity in certain cases. The investigation must be based on reasonable suspicion and the immigration status of the suspect must be relevant to the investigation and not the reason for it. The Vermont policy also makes clear that troopers should con-

tinue to investigate suspected criminal activity. It has special provisions for police near the Canadian border, allowing troopers to take action in unlawful border crossings in progress and to call for support from federal authorities to protect an officer or public safety. The two farmworkers detained in September were processed by the U.S. Border Patrol, which troopers had contacted, and cited for being in the country illegally. Leaders of the VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project called the change ``a big step forward,'' but expressed concern about when police can ask about immigration status. The Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union also was pleased that governor and the state police had made clear that enforcing immigration law is the responsibility of the federal government and not Vermont, said executive director Allen Gilbert. Sorrell said the policy is consistent with Massachusetts' and inconsistent with tough immigration laws in Arizona and Alabama. Jessica Vaughan, director of

Ala. governor: Immigration law should be simpler BIRMINGHAM, Ala.: Gov. Robert Bentley says he wants the Legislature to simplify the state's tough new immigration law that has been challenged in court, with some of its provisions put on hold by a judge. The Legislature passed the law in late June with the Republican governor's approval and it took effect in late September. ``We did pass a very complicated bill,'' Bentley told the Birmingham Business Alliance. The new law, described by Bentley and many others as the nation's toughest, requires a check of legal residency when doing everything from buying a car tag to enrolling a child in school to getting a job. Businesses must use the federal EVerify system to check the legal status of new workers or face losing their business licenses. ``It's not a bad bill. It's just somewhat confusing and it's difficult to explain to people,'' he said. Bentley said he has been talking with business and law enforcement groups, as well as others, to collect suggested changes. ``We've been doing this behind the scenes,'' he said. The

reason, he said, is that anything he says he wants to change could become fodder for the U.S. Justice Department's legal challenge against the law and he wants to wait until closer to the next legislative session starting Feb. 7 before disclosing any plans. But he was emphatic when he

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We are still not going to change the fact that you cannot hire people who are not legalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; said, ``I do believe we need to simplify this bill.'' Bentley told about 670 business people attending the meeting that his proposed changes won't alter the need for employers to verify the legal status of their new hires. ``We are still not going to change the fact that you cannot hire people who are not legal in this country to work for you,'' he said. Alliance President Brian Hilson said the role of businesses in enforcing immigration laws is complicated and needs to

be clearer. The two Republican leaders of the Legislature, House Speaker Mike Hubbard of Auburn and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston, said they have seen nothing yet that needs tweaking, but they are willing to consider minor changes. ``I can tell you we are not going to make it less tough,'' Hubbard said. The federal courts have put some parts of Alabama's immigration law on hold, including checking the legal status of new students, but the business portions are still in effect. Companies doing government work have to start using E-Verify by Jan. 1 and all others by April 1. -AP

policy studies for the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, called Vermont's policy one of the most restrictive on police in the country. ``I think it's irresponsible,'' said Mark Krikorian,

executive director of the group, which advocates for tougher immigration laws. He said Vermont was tying the hands of police by not letting them enforce immigration law. -AP

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Washington wants less risk for people who eat fish

SEATTLE: Washington waters are supposed to be clean enough to protect people who eat fish from it, but the state standard assumes people can safely eat less than 8 ounces of fish a month. State environmental regulators think that's too low. Many residents likely eat more than the current rate of 6.5 grams a day. So the state is recommending a rate that would protect people who eat at least 24 times that amount. How much fish Washington residents consume is important because it helps drives water quality standards and pollution control. A higher fish consumption rate means fewer toxic pollutants would be allowed in state waters and likely tougher requirements for polluters. -AP

Mississippi steps up AIDS fight JACKSON, Miss.: The state Department of Health is beefing up efforts to address the HIV epidemic in Mississippi. The Clarion-Ledger reports more than 9,500 Mississippians are HIVpositive. African Americans are disproportionately affected, making up more than 75 percent of new cases. Despite past efforts to curb the rate of HIV infection, the number of people testing positive in Mississippi has hovered around 600 each year for more than a decade. Megan McLemore, senior health researcher at Human Rights Watch, said one of the more discouraging facts is that roughly half the people in the state who have tested positive are not receiving treatment. -AP

Officials say 28 cases of E. coli in St. Louis ST. LOUIS: State health officials say there are 28 confirmed cases of E. coli cases in the St. Louis area. The state Department of Health and Senior Services said that one new case was added recently. The department is trying to determine if two other cases in Boone County are connected to the St. Louis outbreak. No deaths or life-threatening illnesses have been reported since the first cases were reported last week in St. Louis city and St. Louis, Jefferson and St. Charles counties in Missouri and St. Clair County, Ill. E. coli bacteria cause diarrhea and other illnesses. -AP

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Nevada marks November as Diabetes Month LAS VEGAS: Southern Nevada health officials are hoping to raise awareness about one of the most prevalent diseases in the country through November's American Diabetes Month. -AP

AUA medical school granted California Medical Board recognition SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine has obtained recognition by the Medical Board of California. AUA is now in the process of signing agreements for its students to participate in clinical rotations within the state. In addition to recognizing AUA's compelling and distinguished medical education program, the California recognition opens the door to new opportunities for AUA's medical students," Par Prem Kumar, Assistant Director of Admissions at AUA told India Post in an emailed interview. "Graduates may now apply for medical licensure in California, enter residency training in California, and allows AUA to provide clinical training in California teaching hospitals." AUA President Neal Simon noted that, "Our recent graduates are completing their residencies at prestigious hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Mt. Sinai in New York, Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, the University of Ottawa and the University of Toronto in Canada, in specialties including surgery, internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics. This is a testament to our admissions model and to our curriculum." Kumar said the California recognition would be leveraged through marketing materials with

particular geographic constituencies being alerted to new opportunities available to students and graduates in California. "Due to this recognition, AUA's education quality has been reaffirmed and this will be communicated to potential students," she said. With rising costs of higher education in the US, especially medical colleges, offshore institutions like AUA, which follow American curriculums are cost effective compared to onshore medical

Manipal Worldwide, an Indian multinational corporation and education institution, is the owner of AUA and gives the school its reputation as a global institution with strong ties to India and the Indian Diaspora. Manipal enables AUA to attract the finest academics to Antigua and helps the school maintain its lead as a world-class educator with cutting-edge technology, accord-

'AUA is a great value compared to onshore medical schools due to its relatively low cost and excellent value, particularly with California recognition' schools, Kumar said. " AUA is a great value compared to onshore medical schools due to its relatively low cost and excellent value, particularly with California recognition and New York State approval, and is one of the best values of offshore schools. AUA is 48% less in cost than a leading, private New York medical school. AUA is about 40% less in cost than another Caribbean medical school," she pointed out. About 33 percent of AUA's student body is of Indian origin.

Par Prem Kumar

ing to Kumar. AUA also has a fruitful relationship with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). AUA supports AAPI's mission and vision, and AUA has endowed the charitable foundation with three full scholarships annually for deserving students of Indian origin. AUA is also working closely with other organizations, including the Canadian Physicians of Indian Origin and the Indian Medical As-

sociation of South California. At a time when India and the US are encouraging very high profile partnerships between the institutions of higher education of the two countries, AUA's partnership with the Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India stands as a pioneering institution, a fact that Kumar says AUA is very proud of. AUA's demanding medical training follows the US model of two semesters per academic year utilizing its cutting-edge simulation labs, which enable students to practice history taking and physical examinations with patients at the on-campus ICM lab and in the Patient Simulation Lab, which features SimMan 3G, SimBaby, and Harvey simulators. AUA offers an Educational Enhancement Department to reinforce students' learning, study and time management skills. The Fifth Semester serves as a bridge to the Clinical Sciences, including three 6-week components: the Basic Sciences review reinforces the previous years' learning and aids students in excelling on the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1; Supervised Self-Study continues students' academic review using questions supplied by AUA's Educational Enhancement Department via the Blackboard Learn system; and finally, students proceed to the U.S to start the Family Practice and Internal Medicine component at an AUA-affiliated clinical site in the United States.

Bats face habitat loss, disease threats PENDLETON, Ore.: Oregon bats are feeling the stress of fighting to survive, wildlife experts warned recently. And while most of us only may be batty about bats as Halloween decorations, without bats our world could get a lot gloomier. Disease and habitat loss are threatening bat survival, with eight of Oregon's 15 bats species in need of help, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's conservation strategy.

Five of the eight live throughout Oregon, while the other three species facing difficulties primarily live in Eastern Oregon. And Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has classified one species, the Townsend's big-eared bat, found statewide, as sensitive, meaning it could decline to the point it is threatened or endangered. Burr Betts, a retired Eastern Oregon University biology professor and considered a bat expert

of Cove, Ore., said bats, the world's only flying mammal, aren't creepy or scary and make for healthier forests and humans. ``Bats are the insect eaters of the night, like birds are the insect eaters of the day time,'' he said. ``These things eat a lot of bugs in the night.'' According to ODFW, Oregon's bats eat only insects. Betts said bats eat as much as half their body weight a night in insects. Most bats in Eastern Oregon are small, he said, weighing just

half an ounce, so half of that doesn't seem like much. ``But something as small as mosquitoes, that's 400 or 500 pretty quickly,'' Betts said. Mosquitoes spread disease, such as West Nile Virus. Bats also dine on bark beetles and gypsy moths, Betts said, insects that damage and destroy forests. Some adult bats, according to ODFW, can devour 1,000 insects every hour. Cont’d on page 43

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Judge blocks Ohio rules on Appeals court upholds Obama health care law AIDS drug assistance COLUMBUS, Ohio: A judge has granted a request from three AIDS patients to block changes to Ohio rules that they say would drastically reduce eligibility for a government-funded program that pays for HIV and AIDS medications for those in need. The Franklin County Common Pleas court ruling blocks the state Department of Health from implementing the rules pending resolution of a lawsuit the men filed. A hearing has been set for Nov. 15. The men, who also work as advocates for AIDS patients, argue the new AIDS Drug Assistance Program rules will ``arbitrarily deny funding for potentially life-saving medications'' to lowincome, uninsured and underinsured Ohioans with HIV or AIDS-related symptoms. They also argue they weren't properly adopted. They say the rules result in some of the nation's most severe medical and financial-eligibility changes to a government medical assistance program and argue that they will give the health department director unilateral control

over who receives funds. Plaintiff William Booth said new restrictions mean the health department will decide ``who lives or dies.'' ``The medical and financial criteria that are at the heart of these rule changes in Ohio are murder by proxy, plain and simple,'' Booth said in a statement.

'The medical and financial criteria that are at the heart of these rule changes in Ohio are murder by proxy, plain and simple,' Booth said An attorney general's spokeswoman was unable to immediately comment after business hours. A telephone message was left after business hours for a health department spokesman. AIDS drugs can cost more than $20,000 annually, and patients often

need to take several prescriptions. Drug Assistance Programs operate in all 50 states using both federal and state funds. Several cash-strapped states have recently cut back their programs through steps such as capping enrollment, dropping patients, instituting waiting lists, lowering the income ceiling for eligibility and no longer covering certain drugs or tests. The lawsuit says Ohio rules were finalized last month and would allow a further reduction in financial eligibility guidelines and impose medical guidelines to determine waiting list priority. The group says the state has no current waiting list but has had a list as high as 485 within the past year. Plaintiff David Baker argues that the changes are not cost-effective for the state or taxpayers. ``It is cheaper to prevent the progression of illness with medications than it is to pay for advanced illnesses that may require emergency room visits or hospital stays that come with far higher costs to the state down the road,'' he said. -AP

WASHINGTON: A conservative-leaning appeals court panel has upheld the constitutionality of President Barack Obama's health care law, as the Supreme Court prepares to consider whether to resolve conflicting rulings over the law's requirement that all Americans buy health care insurance. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a split opinion upholding the lower court's ruling that found Congress did not overstep its authority in requiring people to have insurance or pay a penalty on their taxes, beginning in 2014. The requirement is the most controversial requirement of Obama's signature domestic legislative achievement and the focus of conflicting opinions from judges across the country. The suit in Washington was brought by the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal group founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. It claimed that the insurance mandate is unconstitutional because it forces Americans to buy a product for the rest of

their lives and that it violates the religious freedom of those who choose not to have insurance because they rely on God to protect them from harm. But the court ruled that Congress had the power to pass the requirement to ensure that all Americans can have health care coverage, even if it infringes on individual liberty. ``That a direct requirement for most Americans to purchase any product or service seems an intrusive exercise of legislative power surely explains why Congress has not used this authority before but that seems to us a political judgment rather than a recognition of constitutional limitations,'' Judge Laurence Silberman, an appointee of President Ronald Reagan wrote in the court's opinion. Silberman was joined by Judge Harry Edwards, a Carter appointee. But, they added, ``The right to be free from federal regulation is not absolute and yields to the imperative that Congress be free to forge national solutions to national problems.'' Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 42

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Vascular surgeon provides 'hands-on' support for troops India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Vascular surgeon, Tej Singh, MD, of Mountain View, CA, volunteered to spend two weeks treating wounded American soldiers transported from Afghanistan and Iraq to the U.S. Army's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany. "The whole experience - from immediate injury to transport, definitive care, and return to the States - is streamlined and provides the best care for our military," said Tej Singh, a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Clinical Director of Vascular Surgery at El Camino Hospital, and Chief of Vascular Surgery at Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group. "The dedication, gratitude and teamwork concept at LRMC is second to none."

As a LRMC medical team member, Dr. Singh contributed his much-needed surgical skills. "I participated in the operating room and educated the staff on vascular topics," he said. "In the end, I think they taught me more about

video teleconference with doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. "LRMC is a very special place and I've gained a great deal of respect for US military medical care," he said.

'A highlight of the two-week experience was transporting a patient onto a medicallyequipped aircraft at nearby Ramstein Air Force Base. The plane headed to a military hospital in the States' myself as a doctor." A highlight of the two-week experience was transporting a patient onto a medically-equipped aircraft at nearby Ramstein Air Force Base. The plane headed to a military hospital in the States. Dr. Singh also participated in a

Dr. Singh's volunteer service at LRMC extended from Oct. 15-30, 2011. As the largest American hospital outside the United States, LRMC is a Level 1 Trauma Center. Since 2001, the medical staff at LRMC has treated more than 64,000 Wounded Warriors.

Appeals court upholds Obama health care law Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 41

Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a former aide to President George W. Bush who appointed him to the bench, disagreed with the conclusion without taking a position on the merits of the law. He wrote a lengthy opinion arguing the court doesn't have jurisdiction to review the health care mandate until after it takes effect in 2014. The federal appeals court in Cincinnati also upheld the law. The federal appeals court in Atlanta struck down the core requirement that Americans buy health insurance or pay a penalty, while upholding the rest of the law. And like Kavanaugh's dissenting opinion, an appeals court in Richmond, Va., ruled it was premature to decide the law's constitutionality. This aspect of the court challenges issue involves a federal law aimed at preventing lawsuits from tying up tax collection. Kavanaugh and the Richmond court held that taxpayers must begin paying the penalty for not purchasing insurance before they can challenge it in court. Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, which filed the suit in Washington, said the group is considering whether to ask the full appeals court to hear the case or make a request directly to the Supreme Court. ``We still remain confident that Obamacare and the individual mandate, which forces Americans to purchase health insurance, is the wrong prescription for America and ultimately will be struck down as unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court,'' Sekulow said. The White House said it is confident that the Supreme Court will uphold the law, as the DC circuit did. Obama adviser Stephanie Cutter said in a White House blog post that opponents who say the in-

dividual mandate provision exceeded Congress' power to regulate commerce ``are simply wrong.'' ``People who make a decision to forego health insurance do not opt out of the health care market,'' she wrote. ``Their action is not felt by themselves alone. Instead, when they become ill or injured and cannot pay their bills, their costs are shifted to others. Those costs $43 billion in 2008 alone are borne by doctors, hospitals, insured individuals, taxpayers and small businesses throughout the nation.''

'We still remain confident that Obamacare and the individual mandate, which forces Americans to purchase health insurance, is the wrong prescription for America and ultimately will be struck down as unconstitutional' The liberal interest group Constitutional Accountability Center said the ruling from a solid conservative like Silberman, as the Supreme Court prepares to take up the issue, is a ``devastating blow'' to opponents of the law. ``With two prominent conservatives, this panel was thought to be a dream come true for conservative challengers of the act,'' said the center's president, Doug Kendall. ``Today that dream became a nightmare, as the panel unanimously rejected the challenges to the act, disagreeing only about why those challenges failed.'' -AP

Vascular surgeon, Tej Singh, MD, of Mountain View, CA

Since Sept. 2007, 72 Society for Vascular SurgeryÂŽ (SVS) members have volunteered to supplement the limited number of vascular surgeons at the medical center. "The Society for Vascular Surgery is proud to have pro-

vided continuous two-week rotations of vascular surgeons at LRMC for the past four years," said 2011-2012 SVS President Dr. Richard Cambia. "As vascular surgeons, we help repair damaged arteries and veins of coalition military personnel in the Global War on Terror." It was in 2006 that SVS member and retired U.S. Army Col. David Gillespie of the Office of the U.S. Army Surgeon General and professor of surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., asked Society members to share their medical expertise as volunteer surgeons at LRMC. Immediately, SVS members responded to support the troops. Currently, there is a waiting list of 2011-2012 SVS members desiring to volunteer at LRMC.

Dayton says GOP senator imperiling health grants ST. PAUL, Minn.: Gov. Mark Dayton accused a Republican state senator of putting the state at risk of losing $25 million in federal health care grants by holding up their approval in order to score political points. Sen. David Hann defended his decision to request a legislative review of how the state plans to allocate the money, saying he was simply fulfilling his duty as the chairman of the Senate's health and human services committee and member of the Legislative Advisory Committee to demand accountability in the spending of taxpayer money. The advisory committee signs off on the receipt of some federal grants. The eight grants in question would go toward initiatives aimed at furthering the use of preventive medicine. Among them are a research project aimed at presenting treatment options to the parents of children with cancer more rapidly after the initial diagnosis; a program to help Alzheimer's patients stay in their homes; and the development of home and community-care options for aging veterans. ``We're making an appeal for common sense and social justice to prevail,'' Dayton said during a news conference in his office. He called Hann's actions ``unconscionable'' and suggested the senator was partly motivated by politics; Hann has been a vocal and consistent critic of President Obama's federal healthcare legislation. The spat may end up having few consequences, as Dayton said his administration would start a process that could within a matter of weeks allow the governor to overrule Hann's objections and accept the grants anyway. But Dayton and several of his cabinet secretaries said competition for such grants can be intense and that even a brief period of uncertainty at the state level could cause the federal agencies to reconsider their decision

and give other states the chance to vie for money currently tagged for Minnesota. ``If we are not able to start spending the dollars, these grants could go elsewhere and Minnesota will be the lesser for it,'' said Ed Ehlinger, the state health commissioner. Hann said he was ``troubled by the governor's hostile personal attacks on me.'' He said he had no plans to drop his request for legislative review, and that he hopes to convene a hearing of his committee in the near future and would seek more details from the Dayton administration about how the grant money would be used. Specifically, he said he was concerned that too much of the money would fund administrative and salary costs rather than go directly to research or direct care.

'If we are not able to start spending the dollars, these grants could go elsewhere and Minnesota will be the lesser for it' ``I think the fundamental question should be, is this a good use of money? That's all I'm trying to find out,'' Hann said. He said he wasn't confident that the federal legislative process already provided the scrutiny he's demanding. ``Minnesotans pay federal taxes, too,'' he said. Hann said he was not bothered by the prospect that the money could end up going to programs in other states. He said in previous meetings, several officials from the Dayton administration reassured him that, even if the state failed to enact the grant programs, it would not result in cessation of direct services to anyone. -AP

November 18, 2011

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US clears blood thinner for Bats face habitat loss, irregular heart beat disease threats WASHINGTON: US government health officials approved a next-generation blood thinner called Xarelto to treat a common heart problem that can lead to stroke. The Food and Drug Administration officials approved the drug from Johnson & Johnson and German drugmaker Bayer to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes the heart's upper chambers beat chaotically and ineffectively. The irregular heartbeats can cause blood clots which travel to the brain, blocking blood flow and occasionally causing a stroke. ``This approval gives doctors and patients another treatment option for a condition that must be managed carefully,'' said Dr. Norman Stockbridge, director of FDA's cardiovascular and renal products division. The once-a-day pill was first approved in July to prevent strokes in patients receiving hip and knee replacements. For more than half a century, atrial fibrillation patients have relied on the tough-to-use blood thinner warfarin, sold under the brand

name Coumadin. Doctors often have trouble gauging the right dose of the drug for each patient. Too much warfarin can cause dangerous internal bleeding, and too little can result in strokes. In a setback for the drugs' developers, the FDA did not approve a manufacturer-requested claim that

'This approval gives doctors and patients another treatment option for a condition that must be managed carefully,' said Dr Norman Stockbridge Xarelto was superior at preventing stroke and blood clots when compared with warfarin. Instead the FDA states that the companies' 14,000-patient study showed Xarelto and warfarin were about the same in preventing stroke. Also, the FDA added a boxed safety warning, the most serious

kind, stating that patients should not stop taking Xarelto without notifying their doctors first. Discontinuing the drug can increase the risk of stroke. Numerous drugmakers have been working to develop an updated alternative to warfarin. Last October, the FDA approved the first alternative to warfarin for atrial fibrillation Pradaxa, known chemically as dabigatran, made by the German company Boehringer Ingelheim. That drug's label states that the daily pill ``significantly reduced'' stroke and blood clots in a study of 18,000 patients. In September a panel of outside advisers to the FDA voted 92 to recommend approval for use in atrial fibrillation. The panel's recommendation came despite questions from FDA scientists about the reliability of some data submitted on Xarelto. Xarelto is the first in a new class of blood thinning drugs that work by blocking a clotting protein called factor Xa. Older blood thinners, including warfarin, work by preventing blood platelets from sticking together. -AP

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 40

Betts said bats in Eastern Oregon are facing loss of habitat from fewer old houses, buildings and old open mines. And forest dwelling bats that make homes in ``snags'' dead or dying trees also are feeling strain. Betts said loggers cut down snags because they can be a danger, and people target snags for firewood. That happens in spite of regulations that protect a certain number of snags for forest ecosystems, he said. If bat populations decline, Betts said he would expect to see increases in unhealthy forests. Meg Kenagy is the ODFW conservation communications coordinator. The state doesn't have a bead on just how many bats live in Oregon, and no bats in the state are on the threatened or endangered list. And ODFW wants to keep it that way. Priority No. 1, she said, is for people to leave hibernating bats alone. Oregon's bats hibernate in caves, mines, buildings or hollow trees. If disturbed, they are forced to burn calories, reducing their chance of survival. Kenagy said people can build

bat houses to give them new places to live. Wildlife experts also want to keep the deadly white-nose syndrome from landing on Oregon bat populations. White-nose syndrome has killed more than a million bats in the northeastern United States, according to ODFW. A fungus that thrives in the same cold temperature range as hibernating bats causes a white fuzzy growth on their noses and wings. Though the cause of death is still unclear, scientists speculate the fungus interrupts sleep patterns and causes the hibernating bats to awaken, depleting their fat reserves and causing starvation, according to ODFW. Wildlife officials don't think white-nose syndrome is in Oregon, Kenagy said, but they see it as a threat. To help stop whitenose syndrome from spreading, biologists and land managers want Oregon residents, especially those who work in or explore caves and mines, to avoid disturbing bats and to decontaminate clothing and gear before and after entering a cave. -AP

Tech News NRI recruitment down in July-Sept quarter NEW DELHI: Hiring of non-resident Indians (NRIs) by homegrown companies witnessed a marginal decline in the July-September quarter of 2011 due to growing economic uncertainty. According to a study by MyHiringClub.com, a recruitment tendering platform, hiring of NRIs dropped by 8 per cent during the July-September quarter of 2011, compared to the preceding quarter. "Beginning the second quarter of the current fiscal year, we have seen healthy hiring activity in NRI professionals, but suddenly, from the last week of August, 2011, recruitment activities sharply declined. Overall hiring activity is not as good as we had expected in the beginning of this year," MyHiringClub.com Founder and CEO Rajesh Kumar said. -PTI

Business better than perception, says Sunil Mittal NEW DELHI: Amid concerns of economic slowdown and policy paralysis, noted industrialist and telecom czar Sunil Mittal has said "business is better than perception". Praising the government for its initiatives to deal with the current economic issues, Mittal said, "I have never seen in a long period of time, the finance ministry being so pro-active in looking up issues...informing us what is going on. I want to say business is better than perception." He said this after meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee here. -PTI

‘India has miles to go before eliminating poverty’ KOCHI: Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Chairman C Rangarajan has said India has "miles to go" before eliminating poverty though economic growth has contributed to its reduction. While economic growth has contributed to reduction of the poverty levels, it also needs to be acknowledged that the absolute level of poverty is still high. "Truly, we have miles to go before eliminating poverty," he said speaking on 'The Indian Economy - Prospects and Constraints' here. "We need to ensure that the growth process is such as to include every section of the economy. -PTI

TechBiz 44 India Post

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November 18, 2011

US concerned over India's 'business environment' NEW DELHI: The US has said it has concerns over India's business environment, cautioning that the policies designed to protect the domestic industry would eventually harm them. "We encourage India to address concerns that many have about its business environment. In particular, there is increasing concern about some recent action that seems to tilt the playing field," US Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sanchez said at a CII event here. Giving an example of India's national solar mission which requires domestic sourcing of contents, Sanchez said, "My concern is that many of the policies designed to protect Indian industries will only hurt them in the end". -PTI

ACEC National Community Service Award for Smita Shah SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: A front ranking Indian American community activist, Ms Smita N.Shah has added one more feather in her cap of achievements by bagging the prestigious American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) 2011 National Community Service Award during its Fall Conference held recently in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Award coming close on

The Award is presented to a corporate leader who has demonstrated a commitment to give back to her community, and her country the heels of an equally prestigious recognition from the ACEC Illinois Chapter with Illinois Community Service Award, is presented to a corporate leader who has demonstrated a commitment to give back to her community, and her country, by giving of her time and talents to various boards of direc-

Smita Shah with ACEC Award, flanked by ACEC officials

tors, councils, advisory panels and volunteer community service. ACEC apparently recognized that her service has been evidenced by her work on the President's Council of the Museum of Science and Industry, Board of Trustee of Loyola University, Metropolitan Planning Council, Director's Circle of the Steppenwolf Theatre and newly appointed Northwestern University Council of One Hundred. In addition to her public service, Smita has achieved much success in her professional life. Smita is the owner and president

of SPAAN Tech, an engineering firm in downtown Chicago. SPAAN Tech has worked on numerous challenging projects including the I-355 South Extension and Runway Design at O'Hare International Airport. Recognized by the Chicago business community for her leadership, Smita has utilized her business acumen as a member of the Chicago Plan Commission, which approves all important and major projects affecting the City of Chicago. Smita has been recognized by Crain's Chicago Business in their "The Next Generation is Now" is-

sue as well as one of the promising leaders in Crain's "40 under 40". Last year her article, "Where are all the girl geeks?" was published in the Chicago Tribune. It encouraged more young women to enter the professions of science, technology, engineering and math. She is a recipient of Senator Barbara Boxer's "Women Making History" Award, Chicago Business Leaders of Color Award and the American Society of Civil Engineer's Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award. In 2007 Ms. Shah was the first female of Indian origin to receive the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

'India is open for business': Minister assures USIBC India Post News Service

NEW YORK: American business leaders assembled at a roundtable organized by the USIndia Business Council (USIBC) in Washington on Nov 8, with India's Minister of Corporate Affairs, M. Veerappa Moily. US industry assembled to engage the Minister in a lively and informative roundtable discussion, where issues such as India's Draft National Competition Policy, merger and acquisition activity in India, rules related to audits in India, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and other significant issues related to corporate

activities in India were discussed. Moily assumed office as Minister of Corporate Affairs in July 2011, having previously served as the Minister of Law and Justice

India including the Tax Reform Commission and the Revenue Reform Commission. In his capacity as Minister of Corporate Affairs, Moily adminis-

‘The competition policy will affect the business climate in India, and, if properly calibrated and balanced, can serve as a tremendous impetus to growth’ for the Government of India as well as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. In addition, he has chaired a number of important Commissions in

ters acts and laws that regulate the corporate sector in India. "India's competition policy is of great interest to American inves-

tors," said USIBC President Ron Somers. "The competition policy will affect the business climate in India, and, if properly calibrated and balanced, can serve as a tremendous impetus to growth. USIBC looks forward to working with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to ensure India's adoption of international best practices and progrowth, job-creating polices." Following the roundtable, USIBC member companies and friends of India attended a reception in the Minister's honor. The roundtable and reception were sponsored by New York Life, the global insurance company.

TechBiz Post

November 18, 2011

India Post

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Indian American nanotechnologists formalize group India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The presence of a large number of Indian American professionals in the nanotechnology industry prompted a group of US Nanotechnologists to form The Indus Nanotech Association (TINA), an organization which is expected to have not only entrepreneurs and businessmen as members, but also researchers, technologists and investors. With nanotechnology as a science, along with related fields such as NanoBio Convergence, Nanoelectronics and Nanomedicine, has grown leaps and bounds, the Indian American professionals in the field concerned met at the Bombay Palace Restaurant in New York City on Nov 1 to form TINA. The meeting, hosted by Dr. Anil Diwan, President and Chairman of Nanovirisides, was attended by over two dozen leading Indian American nanotechnologists, businessmen and investors. The Indian Consulate was represented by Sugandh Rajaram, Consul for Political and Economic Affairs. There are a large number of Indian academics involved in nanotechnology research encompassing from sciences including chemistry, physics, engineering, materials science, biology and medicine. Many others are working in the national labs and other leading R&D institutions as well as in all major companies. Yet many other Indian Americans have started their own companies in developing and producing nanomaterials and nanotechnology enabled products. There are also Indian Americans who are involved in angel funding as well as in venture capital funding to promote nanotechnology business. "We have reached the critical mass of a

TINA Steering Committee at the New York Meeting Nov 2011.

large number of Indian Americans involved in nanotechnology and nano-enabled technologies and the time has come to develop a networking group amongst us to help each other as well as to look at opportunities for collaborations, licensing and other joint ventures in India and in other countries so as to bring synergy to take new technology

ety at large by helping to commercialize new technologies. Nanotechnology is termed by many as the "next big thing" among the emerging technologies. Literally, "nano-" represents 0.000000001, or 10-9, an extremely small quantity with enormous implications for the miniaturization-driven technology of the

The new group will provide a platform for Indian origin nanotechnology researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs and investors to exchange ideas initiatives to commercialization," said Dr. Thomas Abraham, Coordinator of the new group. TINA has been launched as a worldwide organization with its headquarters in the US. The group assembled at the conference felt that there are opportunities to organize this area for mutual benefits of its members in the US and others countries as well as those in India. It will also contribute to the soci-

twenty-first century. The US National Science Foundation has estimated the nanotechnology enabled market to reach $1 trillion by 2015. "We would like to see more collaboration between researchers and companies as well as B to B at these meetings to achieve early commercialization of nanotechnologies," added Dr. Abraham. As nanotechnology is impacting every

Warning: Never touch a downed power line India Post News Service

ROSEMEAD, CA: With more wind and rain expected as winter approaches, Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds people to never touch a downed power line. Storms can bring high winds, which may result in downed power lines. Never ever touch a downed line - even if it appears not to be energized. Call 911 to alert emergency personnel. Customers have experienced wind-related outages recently. While power has been restored to most of those homes and businesses, SCE wants its customers to be ready in case there are further outages. SCE customers should call (800) 611-1911 to report an outage. Customer safety is a top priority for SCE. Here are important tips to keep in mind: • Watch for traffic signals that

may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops. • Make sure you have a batteryoperated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for

outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into the generator, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates "backfeed," which is danger-

Customers have experienced wind-related outages recently. While power has been restored to most of those homes and businesses, SCE wants its customers to be ready in case there are further outages lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a significant fire hazard. • Do not use inside any equipment designed for outdoor heating or outdoor cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. • If you use a generator, place it

ous to repair crews. • Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage. • Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.

sphere of the society, networking opportunities through TINA will provide more cooperation between researchers and businesses, more B to B, more opportunities for investors to finance right type of technology and take new generation technologies to the market. A steering committee was formed to formalize the organization. It will be coordinated by Dr. Abraham. Others in the committee are: Dr. Anil Diwan of Nanovirisides, Rajan Pillay and Dr. Ramesh Bhargava of Nanocrystals Technology, NEI Corporation President Dr. Ganesh Skandan, HSBC Chief Operating Officer T.T. Bhat, Investor Priyam Sen, Prakash Madgi of Midtown Partners, Abbas Baqueri of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Suresh Nichani of Nichani Holdings, Prof. George John of City University, Prof. Mahendra Sunkara of University of Louisville, Shailesh Naik of Charles A Manganaro Consulting Engineers and Kishore Ramnani of Pfizer. Prof. P. Somasundaran of Columbia University, Sreedhar Menon of Visteos Fund Service and Prof. S.V. Babu of Clarkson University will serve as TINA's advisors. The new group will provide a platform for Indian origin nanotechnology researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs and investors to exchange ideas and provide networking opportunities among the nanotechnology professionals so as to advance the field and create new areas of business. It will also create interactive and cooperative efforts between nanotechnology professionals and entrepreneurs living outside India with their counterparts in India. The new group will organize international and regional meetings to promote new technologies and to provide opportunities for technology developers to meet with potential investors.

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Perspective

India Post

November 18, 2011

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Robotics is the future of wars, and peace VINOD DHAWAN India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: US drones may not have won the war for them in Afghanistan but UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) have made a great impact in the region changing forever the nature of future wars. Smaller UAVs, called Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) with high resolution cameras have taken over surveillance work in a big way in civilian areas as well and are now in great demand all over the world. India is also looking at this development with great interest. The US alone has invested $ 35 billion on automatic surveillance research and innovation. But such robotic equipment comes with a very high price tag for countries like India to afford. Brain drain of students from India is well

tions Pvt. Ltd. (India) and conducts business in both countries. He plans to bring the latest technology in robotics to India. Ratti told India Post in an interview that he sees robotics taking over much of the

load off average Indian soldiers in matters like search and rescue operations, remote intelligence, surveillance and reconnais-

Micro aerial vehicles being developed by Ratti's company are very small, as small as sparrows; carry night-day high resolution cameras and can camouflage themselves i nto Jayant Ratti

the surroundings by adjusting

sance and gathering intelligence on terrorists. To police it can provide surveillance facility in Naxal areas and in agriculture there can be speedy survey of large areas for remedial action. And the micro aerial vehicles he and his team have developed will come at a fraction of the cost of imported equipment. Still, it will be very expensive for average Indian operations so Ratti and his team are offering these facilities as a service, initially, to the defense forces and police. The Indian army and the police are losing too many men in operations. Robotic surveillance is the way to beat the enemy without losing your own men. Micro aerial vehicles being developed by Ratti's company are very small, as small as sparrows; carry nightDelfly, developed at the Technical University of Delft day high resolution and Wageningen University cameras and can

known and so is the recent trend of NRIs returning to set up India-centering operations. But there is a new breed of high-tech wizards who work in both the countries with perhaps more advantage to India. 28-year-old US-trained robotics expert JAYANT RATTI is highly patriotic. He is President, TechJect Inc. (USA) and Director of the Indian wing, TechJect Innova-

camouflage themselves into the surroundings by adjusting colors. They are made to look like birds or other objects common in nature. They fly as low as trees, at less than 50 meters. The MAVs are made of light composite fibers which could include plastic, aluminum, apart from metal. As outlined by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), MAVs can have a maximum dimension of 6 inches and weigh no more than 100 grams. Ratti's company is in talks with the defense ministry and the police and the response has been "extremely positive." It is also collaborating with India's DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization). The DRDO has been working on MAVs for a number of years but their systems are at least two decades behind time. So Ratti's company is providing them the latest in the nature of technology transfer to speed up their operations. The TechJect system has been approved although it requires lots of customization. Ratti has also worked on a few projects with the US Air Force. The company as of now is privately funded but government funding is likely. It has already acquired industrial area in Gurgaon for manufacturing MAVs. Ratti says the application of small MAVs in agriculture can be very useful. "Today farmers are stuck all day walking through huge lengths of farms, inspecting the state of crops and land. Small MAVs can take over this work, monitoring nonstop and easily detecting insect infestation, waterlogging, infertility of land etc. Automating the entire system, it will keep recording and monitoring the land enabling quick action to enhance production. Ratti has a Ph D in Robotics from Geor-

Jayant Ratti with President Abdul Kalam

With Tech award in Georgia

Mentor, developed at University of Toronto

Caltech microbat

gia University, USA and has won many awards in the field both in the US and India. He says awareness of this technology is lacking in India. He is therefore looking at providing education for which he has slated a demo for Delhi College of Engineering, his alma mater.

Datebook

November 18, 2011

India Post 47

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NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Sat Nov 19 • Musik Waves Presents Shazia Manzoor in NY Venue: Indian Community Concert Hall, 14309, Holly Ave, Flushing NY Time: 7:30pm Contact: 732-277-6687

Sat Nov 19 • Panjabi MC Live- Club Party Venue: Cactus, 404 S Wells, Chicago, IL Time: 9:00pm Contact: 777-777-7777

Tues Nov 22

Thurs Dec 1

• Raw Food for Beginners

• DJ Rekha Presents Basement Bhangra Venue: SOB’s 200 Varick Stree, New York Time: 7pm Contact: 212-252-2392

Venue: Inner Metamorphosis University 1418 W Howard St., Chicago, IL Time: 5:30pm Contact: 773-732-6735

Fri Dec 4

Sat Nov 26

• Karishma TV & Pali Presents EID Festival 2011

• Attaining a Mastery of Moods

Venue: Antuns 244, West Old Country Road, Hicksville, NY Time: 7pm Contact: 718-600-0954

Venue: Inner Metamorphosis University 1418 W Howard St, Chicago, IL Time: 10am Contact: 773-262-1468

NEW JERSEY

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sat Nov 19

Fri Nov 18 to Sun Nov 20

• Musik Waves Presents Shazia Manzoor in NJ

• The Sikh Arts & Film Festival

Venue: Indian Community Concert Hall 14309 Holly Ave, Flushing, New Jersey, NJ Time: 7:30pm Contact: 732-277-6687

Sun Nov 20 • Shazia Manzoor Live In Concert- First Time in NJ

Venue: Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, in Orange, CA Contact: 714-759-4SAF Highlights: The festival opens with a red carpet welcome night, filled with films and entertainment, and a sumptuous dessert reception.

Venue: Union County Performing Arts Center 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ Time: 5pm Contact: 732-921-7350

Sat Nov 19

Sun Dec 4

Venue: McAfee Theater 20300 Herriman Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070 Time: 6:00pm Contact: 408 871 5959

• Dulhan Expo- Somerset Venue: Garden State Exhibit Center 50 Atrium Dr. Somerset, NJ Time: 12:00pm Contact: 732-469-4000

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Thur Nov 17 • Sahasra Deepika 2nd Annual Gala Venue: J.W. Marriott 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, 20004 Time: 12:00am

Sun Nov 20 • JHU Shakti Presents Nritya Mala 2011 Venue: Shriver Hall-Johns Hopkins University 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, 21218 Time: 3pm Contact: 615-480-4962

• Abhinaya Dance Company Presents 'Jwala-The Immortal Flame'

Sun Nov 20 • SEF Presents Kanmaniye Venue: Chabot College Performing Arts Center 25555, Hesperian Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94545 Time: 5:00pm Time: 1-866 Sankara

Sat Dec 10 • Christmas & New Year Celebrations Venue: EverGreen Hight School, 3300 Quimby Road, San Jose, CA Time: 12:00pm Contact: 408-836-5804

Sat Dec 31 • Yuva Bharti Membership 2011 Venue: Yuva Bharati 870, Ames Avenue, Palo Alto, CA Time: 12am Contact: 650-565-8859

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming Sat Nov 19 • 2011 Annual Fall Youth Retreat Venue: Norwalk Presbyterian Church, 11345, Resecrans Ave, Norwalk, CA Time: 2pm Contact: 805-328-3932

Sat Nov 26 • The Nutcracker

Sun Nov 26

Venue: James Armstrong Theatre 3330 Civic, Center Dr Torrance, CA Time: 6pm Contact: 310-428-5875

• KKNC Presents Prerna A Mega Fundraiser Event

Fri Dec 2

Venue: Chabot College 25555, Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA Time: 4:30pm Time: 510-586-3378

• Diamonds Show Venue: Sheraton Cerritos 12725, Centercourt Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703 Time: 11am Contact: 415-424-8137

Sun Dec 04 • Khushbu Se Bhare Khat, A concert in Tribute to Jagjit Singh

Sat Dec 17

• Kaveri Kannada Association 2011 Membership Venue: Kaveri Kannada Association 10070 Darnestown Road # 232, Rockville, MD 20850 Time: 10pm Contact: 301-633-5311

Venue: Joan Pisani Community Center, 19655 Allendale Ave, Saratoga, CA Time: 4:00pm Contact: soortaalgroup@yahoo.com

Venue: the Fremont Main Library, Fukaya Room Time: 2pm Contact: 510-745-1401

Sat Dec 31

• Holiday Concert with the Gerry Winn Singers

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Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NON-MANDATORY NETWORKING/ BIDDERS CONFERENCE, North County RFP #900907, Employee Commuter Benefit Administrator, Monday, November 21, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. 単 County of Alameda Human Resource Services, 1405 Lakeside Drive, Room #2, Oakland, CA NON-MANDATORY NETWORKING/ BIDDERS CONFERENCE, South County RFP #900907, Employee Commuter Benefit Administrator, Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. 単 County of Alameda Social Services Agency, 24100 Amador Street, Room 638, 6th Floor, Hayward, CA Responses Due by 2:00 pm on January 5, 2012 County Contact : Stefanie Taylor at (510) 2089610 or via email: stefanie.taylor@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory. Specifications and bid copies regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County GSA-Purchasing Department or the Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org. 11/18/11 CNS-2200485#

Philosophy

November 18, 2011

India Post

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis J. KRISHNAMURTI

he demand to be safe in relationship inevitably breeds sorrow and fear. This seeking for security is inviting insecurity. Have you ever found security in any of your relationships? Have you? Most of us want the security of loving and being loved, but is there love when each one of us is seeking his own security, his own particular path? We are not loved because we don't know how to love. What is love? The word is so loaded and corrupted that I hardly like to use it. Everybody talks of love - every magazine and newspaper and every missionary talks everlastingly of love. I love my country, I love my king, I love some book, I love that mountain, I love pleasure, I love my wife, I love God. Is love an idea? If it is, it can be cultivated, nourished, cherished, pushed around, twisted in any way you like. When you say you love God what does it mean? It means that you love a projection of your own imagination, a projection of yourself clothed in certain forms of respectability according to what you think is noble and holy; so to say, `I love God', is absolute nonsense. When you worship God you are worshipping yourself - and that is not love. ALAN WATTS

en, in its essence, is not a doctrine. There's nothing you're supposed to believe in. It's not a philosophy in our sense, that is to say a set of ideas, an intellectual net in which one tries to catch the fish of reality. Actually, the fish of reality is more like water - it always slips through the net. And in water you know when you get into it there's nothing to hang on to. All this universe is like water; it is fluid, it is transient, it is changing. And when you're thrown into the water after being accustomed to living on the dry land, you're not used to the idea of swimming. You try to stand on the water, you try to catch hold of it, and as a result you drown. The only way to survive in the water, and this refers particularly to the waters of modern philosophical confusion, where God is dead, metaphysical propositions are meaningless, and there's really nothing to hang on to, because we're all just falling apart. And the only thing to do under those circumstances is to learn how to swim. And to swim, you relax, you let go, you give yourself to the water, and you have to know how to breathe in

Because we cannot solve this human thing called love we run away into abstractions. Love may be the ultimate solution to all man's difficulties, problems and travails, so how are we going to find out what love is? By merely defining it? The church has defined it one way, society another, and there are all sorts of deviations and perversions. Adoring someone, sleeping with someone, the emotional

knowing the complexity of all this they say there must be another kind of love, divine, beautiful, untouched, uncorrupted. Throughout the world, socalled holy men have maintained that to look at a woman is something totally wrong: they say you cannot come near to God if you indulge in sex, therefore they push it aside although they are eaten up with it. But by denying sexuality

you', does that exclude the love of the other? Is love personal or impersonal? Moral or immoral? Family or non-family? If you love mankind can you love the particular? Is love sentiment? Is love emotion? Is love pleasure and desire? Now how am I going to find out what this flame is which we call love? I will first reject what the church, what society, what my parents and friends, what every

Can love be divided into sacred & profane? If I say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I love you', does that exclude the love of the other? Is love personal or impersonal? Moral or immoral? Family or non-family?

J. Krishnamurti

exchange, the companionship - is that what we mean by love? That has been the norm, the pattern, and it has become so tremendously personal, sensuous, and limited that religions have declared that love is something much more than this. In what they call human love they see there is pleasure, competition, jealousy, the desire to possess, to hold, to control and to interfere with another's thinking, and

they put out their eyes and cut out their tongues for they deny the whole beauty of the earth. They have starved their hearts and minds; they are dehydrated human beings; they have banished beauty because beauty is associated with woman. Can love be divided into the sacred and the profane, the human and the divine, or is there only love? Is love of the one and not of the many? If I say,`I love

person and every book has said about it because I want to find out for myself what it is. Here is an enormous problem that involves the whole of mankind, there have been a thousand ways of defining it and I myself am caught in some pattern. I am confused, torn by my own desires, so I say to myself, `First clear up your own confusion. Perhaps you may be able to discover what love is through what it is not.'

the right way. And then you find that the water holds you up; indeed, in a certain way you become the water. And so in the same way, one might say if one attempted to - again I say misleadingly - to put Zen into any sort of concept, it simply comes down to this: That in this universe, there is one great energy, and we have no name for it. People have tried various

timony and funny meanings from the past. We bug ourselves by indulging in the illusion, 'Hey, supposing darkness did win out, wouldn't that be terrible!' And so we're constantly trembling and thinking that it darkness, because after all, isn't it odd that anything exists? It's most peculiar, it requires effort, it requires energy, and it

without 'solid.' When you wake up to this, and realize that the more it changes the more it's the same thing, as the French say, that you are really a train of this one energy, and there is nothing else but that that is you, but that for you to be always you would be an insufferable bore, and therefore it is arranged that you stop

The universe is like water, fluid and transient Alan Watts

names for it, like God, like Brahmin, like Tao, but in the West, the word God has got so many funny associations attached to it that most of us are bored with it. When people say 'God, the father almighty,' most people feel funny inside. So we like to hear new words, we like to hear about Tao, about Brahmin, about Shinto, and such strange names from the Far East because they don't carry the same associations of mawkish sanc-

You relax, you let go, you give yourself to the water, and you have to know how to breathe in the right way. And then you find that the water holds you up would have been so much easier for there to have been nothing at all. Therefore, we think 'well, since being, since the 'is' side of things is so much effort' you always give up after a while and you sink back into death. But death is just the other face of energy, and it's the rest, the not being anything around that produces something around, just in the same way that you can't have 'solid' without 'space,' or 'space'

being you after a while and then come back as someone else altogether, and so when you find that out, you become full energy and delight. As Blake said, 'Energy is eternal delight.' And you suddenly see through the whole sham thing. You realize you're That we won't put a name on it you're That, and you can't be anything else. So you are relieved of fundamental terror.

Am I the body, senses or mind? No. If I claim to be anything, that must be with me wherever I go. Doing, perceiving, thinking and feeling do not go with me wherever I go. 'Knowing' alone is always with me. So I am knowingness of Consciousness alone. -Atmananda Krishna Menon We have been given the gift of life in this perplexing world to become who we ultimately are: creatures of boundless love, caring compassion, and wisdom. -Brother Wayne Teasdale I am not God and you are not the devotees; I am not the guru and you are not the disciples; I am not the guide and you are not the pilgrims. I am the Mother and you are the children. -Jillellamudi Amma Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. -Saint Kabir I do not want to get material life, do not want the sense-life, but something higher." That is renunciation. -Swami Vivekananda

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November 18, 2011

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China's space docking success: Strategic implications RADHAKRISHNA RAO

he successful accomplishment of its first ever docking exercise in outer space on November 3 was a major technological breakthrough for China, and now holds the potential to bring Beijing closer to Moscow and Washington in terms of establishing a long-term manned presence in space. Indeed, the smooth coupling of Shenzhou-8 unmanned spacecraft launched on November 1 with the eight-tonne heavy Tiangong1(Heavenly Palace) space module put into orbit in late September has clearly demonstrated China's prowess in an advanced technique that was earlier the exclusive preserve of the US and Russia. China looks at this "space spectacle" as yet another step towards expanding the frontiers of its space enterprise with its objectives clearly set on emerging as a global space leader. As stated by President Hu Jintao, "Breakthroughs in and acquisition of space docking technologies are vital to the three-phase development strategy of our manned space program." Clearly, the Chinese Communist Party has every reason to project this success as a beginning for turnaround in the fortunes of this once poverty stricken Asian demographic billionaire. Echoing the sentiments of the ruling party, the Global Times reported, "as long as we are determined to rise in the world and pursue rejuvenation, we need to take risks. Otherwise, China will be a nation with prosperity but subordinated to top powers". The message of this observation is clear: China should prepare the ground to overtake the US both in strategic and space spheres. But as things stand now, China will need to go a long way before it catches up with and overtakes the US to emerge as a global space and military supremo. The Space Competitiveness Index prepared by the technology management firm Futron Corporation reveals that China matched America's number of launches during 2010 for the first time. The conclusion of Futron Corp's analysis is that the US is fast losing ground to global competitors as its space policy continues to be vulnerable to political compulsions compounded by the economic recession. With robust budgetary sup-

port, the Chinese space program makes for a win-win proposition. "Over the past decade, China has arguably gone further, faster than any other space faring nation," says Futron Corporation. However, in the immediate future, this space success is not expected to yield any strategic dividends to China. "It is not going to immediately provide China any military capabilities," says Joan Johnson Freese, an expert on Chinese space program at the US Naval War College on Rhode Island. But this impressive achieve-

ment would help China, the world's second largest economy, to realize a 60-tonne orbital complex by 2020 when the International Space Station (ISS) being operated by a multi-national team including the US and Russia will be shut down. Though the Chinese orbital station will be much smaller than ISS, it will pave the way for China building larger space stations with longer life spans. An autonomous orbital complex could definitely help China

The Space Competitiveness Index prepared by the technology management firm Futron Corporation reveals that China matched America's number of launches during 2010 for the first time bolster its space war efforts by serving as strategic outpost in space. Western strategic observers believe China's space strides reflect the country's rapid militarization on ground, sea and air. China looks at space as a vital platform for effectively using its armed forces against adversaries

(Ashely Tellis). According to Dean Cheng, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Centre in Washington DC, this achievement coming as it does soon after the US space shuttle program stood terminated "is a powerful political signal that China is an ascendant and the US is descendent". Thus, docking techniques and associated technologies being mastered by China have obvious long-term military implications. India, which was rattled in 2007 by the Chinese anti-satellite maneuver, should seriously look at the implications of the Chinese move for an orbital station. For PLA (People's Liberation Army) could effectively harness the potentials of a manned space station to provide a greater punch to its combative power in the event of a war with India. Moreover, with the PLA acquiring similar capabilities to that of the US to observe targets from space for real time operations, even the US will have difficult times moving its naval forces close to Taiwan without coming under the prying eyes of Chinese space birds. In particular India's defense establishment should take cognizance of Chinese moves to develop the so called beam weapons based on laser devices that could be deployed both as an anti-satellite device and a substitute for military missiles. In fact, sometime back India's Defense Minister A. K. Antony had expressed concern over the Chinese move to refine space war techniques. With a view to insulate Indian space assets from the threat of "rogue satellites" and also prepare India to face the space warfare of the future with confidence, V. K. Saraswat, Chief of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has hinted at the need for India to build killer satellite devices, laser beam weapons and a range of military satellites to support Indian defense forces in the battlefield. Ignoring the threat of space war from across the border would certainly mean a repetition of the 1962 humiliating debacle; hence the Indian government should consider these suggestions seriously. The writer is a Freelancer, Bangalore. Courtesy IPCS

India Post Reluctant politician

here cannot be a more reluctant politician than Rahul Gandhi. Partymen and sycophants in the Congress keep pushing him onto centre stage and he keeps rushing out of the first escape route available. Yet again stories of "he's coming, he's coming" have been planted in Indian newspapers on the eve of elections in Uttar Pradesh and some other states. This time it is said Sonia Gandhi herself wants to shed some of her responsibilities perhaps in view of her health. She is recovering from a surgery for cervical cancer which she got done in New York. It is speculated that she will soon appoint Rahul Gandhi as working president of the party. If it is indeed so, why the secrecy? He is old enough (41) to take on responsibilities. He is touted as the future Prime Minister. He is not married, nor is he wedded to politics. There are big issues like corruption, growth vs inequality, price rise/inflation, unemployment, education, health, land acquisition, labor laws etc which need to be tackled on an urgent basis. But hardly anyone knows what are the views of the crown prince on these subjects. He has never spoken on these issues. When the Anna agitation was its peak and the Parliament was discussing the Lokpal Bill, he and his mother were missing during the debate. He was smuggled in for 15 minutes by special permission of the ex-Congresswoman Speaker where he read a written speech and quickly departed. He did make a point of institutionalising the Lokpal system. But since then the Congress has been busy trying to dilute the Lokpal Bill now being scrutinized by a special committee. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is reported to have invited Rahul Gandhi thrice in the recent past to join his cabinet but he declined. Great fuss is now being made by his imminent appointment as working president of the party. As a scion of the dynasty he enjoys so much power that he can get anything done. He doesn't need any formal post to make his presence felt. Any intervention by him on policy issues can bring about great change. But he seems either deficient in IQ or is plain frightened of high responsibility in view of what happened to his father. He prefers to make a show of his affinity for the poor by hiding in some poor villager's home and then allow it to become a great photo op. It is clear that Rahul Gandhi is not cut out for politics. He is merely making a show of staying in public life because that is what is expected of Nehru-Gandhi scion. Otherwise he would prefer to live the high life of a playboy. As he was doing in Europe when the Congress was not in power. The toeing-the-line Indian media is also reluctant to expose Rahul Gandhi. Every other day there are stories of how weak is Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister. But no one poses a question to Sonia Gandhi who is supposed to be wielding real power. As LK Advani asked during his rathyatra, why is she not speaking on corruption which has seeped into her party? Or on land reform which will be an issue in the forthcoming UP elections? Mother and son are both avoiding answering questions on issues of the day. How about Sonia Gandhi holding a press conference and answering questions that are agitating the people? He and Rahul are in position of power and can get things done if they want. Does it mean that the mother-son team does not want corruption to go and are happy as the country continues moving rudderless?

November 18, 2011

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