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Obama sends greetings on Diwali Details on page 16
DC glows in Diwali celebration
VOL 21, No. 1104
November 20, 2015
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Periodical Postage
DIVERSITY OUR PRIDE & STRENGTH: MODI PM wows 60,000 Wembley crowd
120 dead in Paris attacks by suspected IS men Details on page 13
Details on page 14
Suu Kyi party wins historic Myanmar polls Details on page 13
India-born Canada Minister faces racism Details on page 14
Pak hands over 2000 acres to China in Gwadar Details on page 15
Carter urged to end ban on Sikh-Americans Details on page 15
INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question
Should Modi opologise to people of Bihar? Last week’s result
Will BJP learn a lesson from Bihar defeat? YES 45%
NO 55%
GRAND WELCOME: Prime Minister of United Kingdom, David Cameron greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Inset) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering his address at Wembley Stadium, in London on November 13
LONDON: Facing attack back home over the issue of intolerance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here India's diversity was the country's "strength and pride" and underlined the importance of peaceful co-existence. Modi also said that there is no reason for India to remain poor, asserting. "We harbor poverty for no reason." "India is full of diversity. This diversity is our pride and it is our strength. Diversity is the specialty of India." he said, adding that despite the country being home to diverse religions, over 100 languages and 1,500 dialects Indians have proved how to live together. Modi was addressing thousands of people, almost all of Indian origin, at a Grand Community reception in his honor at the iconic Wembley Stadium, home to rock con-
certs and England's national soccer team. The event was themed 'Two Great Nations, One Glorious Future'. Courting the Indian Diaspora with rock star-style tour on the second day of his three-day visit to the UK - the first by an Indian Premier in 10 years - Modi got a rapturous welcome when he reached one of Britain's most famous sporting venues this evening. An estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people were present at the event, according to the organizers. "Your warm welcome makes me feel home," Modi told the biggest gathering of Indian Diaspora he has ever addressed since assuming office in May 2014. Modi was introduced to the gathering by British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose wife Samantha, draped in a saree, was also present. Details on page 5
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CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 30-31 Classifieds ------------------------- 48 Community Post -------------- 16-19 Date Book -------------------------- 47 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35 Horoscope ------------------------- 28 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 50-53 Philosophy ------------------------- 49 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 36-39 TechBiz Post ------------------- 24-27 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43
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et another mega show of Modi-mania, this time in the UK, with 60,000 British Indians packing into Wembley stadium, upping the scale in terms of the pomp, ceremony, pageantry, jingoism and sheer turnout than what the Indian diaspora in New York, California, Australia or Dubai did in recent months, to welcome the Indian prime minister. It does seem a trifle crazy. I mean, I don't get it - the message that is. In fact, I don't see what the message is, if there is one or if one is supposed to read several messages into these rock show like events. Like, I have been personally involved in the Silicon Valley event and saw firsthand the manic response from our community to greet Modi. What exactly is it that is driving the Indian diaspora to turn up in hordes in the name of Modi? What are we to understand from these epic fan moments one has been witnessing wherever Modi travels? Is it really his charisma or is it that they really believe in his vision for an economically developed India? It can't be that all of these tens of thousands of Indians living abroad are BJP sympathizers or particularly Hindutva leaning in their political orientation. The dynamics are interesting because back home in India, Modi, despite the overwhelming mandate that brought him into power, is relentlessly lampooned by the mainstream media, the opposition parties, and the largely left-leaning intelligentsia. Of course there is the overzealous Hindutva brigade that keeps messing up the delicate communal fabric of India through its violent manifestation of extreme ideology. And the Indian diaspora is not unaware of the volatile atmosphere in India. So, is one to understand that they see something in Modi and his vision for India that people in India are failing to see? Or is one to understand that the overseas Indian community is simply finding an outlet to establish its own strength in their adoptive lands? Whatever be their message it has definitely left the media and the political leadership of these western countries thoroughly confused whether to see Modi in the Indian context or India in Modi's context.
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Priyanka hitched? According to the latest grapevine, Priyanka Chopra has fallen in love with a young man from Los Angeles.
Cover Story: Strength and pride Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in London India's diversity was the country's "strength and pride"
Community: Diwali greetings Obama wishes families-across America and around the world-a happy Diwali as they celebrate the festival of lights.
Obama appeal The Obama administration will ask the Supreme Court to save the president's plan to shield illegal immigrants
Life style: Yuvraj hitched Yuvraj Singh, often linked to some of the most sought-after women, has got engaged to British-born Hazel Keech.
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Diversity our pride & strength: Modi PM wows 60,000 Wembley crowd LONDON: Facing attack back home over the issue of intolerance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here India's diversity was the country's "strength and pride" and underlined the importance of peaceful co-existence. Modi also said that there is no reason for India to remain poor, asserting. "We harbor poverty for no reason." "India is full of diversity. This diversity is our pride and it is our strength. Diversity is the specialty of India." he said, adding that despite the country being home to diverse religions, over 100 languages and 1,500 dialects Indians have proved how to live together. Modi was addressing thousands of people, almost all of Indian origin, at a Grand Community reception in his honor at the iconic Wembley Stadium, home to rock concerts and England's national soccer team. The event was themed 'Two Great Nations, One Glorious Future'. Courting the Indian Diaspora with rock star-style tour on the second day of his three-day visit to the UK - the first by an Indian Premier in 10 years - Modi got a rapturous welcome when he reached one of Britain's most famous sporting venues this evening. An estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people were present at the event, according to the organizers. "Your warm welcome makes me feel home," Modi told the biggest gathering of Indian Diaspora he has ever addressed since assuming office in May 2014. Modi was introduced to the gathering by British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose wife Samantha, draped in a saree, was also present. Cameron greeted the assembled audience with a "Namaste" which drew loud cheers and followed up with another greeting "'kem cho'(How are you?) Wembley" in Gujarati. He renewed his pitch for India getting a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. "When it comes to UN we know what needs to happen - India with a permanent seat at the UN Security Council," Cameron said. Britain has a 1.5 million-strong Indian Diaspora population. The event was held in a carnival atmosphere following celebrations for Diwali festival. Performers included Indian-origin pop star Jay Sean, popular
Bollywood singer 'Baby Doll' Kanika Kapoor and Alisha Chinai, who belted out her famous 'Made in India' Hindi number of the 90s, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. A dynamic cultural show showcasing dance styles prevail-
to the very existence of the two countries and they stand shoulder-to-shoulder to tackle it, reminding the gathering about the Mumbai and London attacks. Modi said that his experience in the office in 18 months has made it clear to him that there is
Modi said, "Between two vibrant democracies we are celebrating this very special relationships in this very special venue," Modi stated. "I was told London will be cold but not so cold. Your warm welcome makes me feel at home ing across India besides a variety of dance mixes with Bollywood songs was on display. The audience also heard classical, folk art
no reason for India to remain poor. "There is no reason for India to remain poor, we harbor poverty for no reason. I wonder why we
of youth and hence nobody can stall the country's development. "65 per cent of the population of the country consists of people below 35 years. India is full of youth and a country which has so many youth cannot continue to lag behind. Nobody can halt its march to development," he said. On Indo-UK relations, Modi said, "Between two vibrant democracies we are celebrating this very special relationships in this very special venue," Modi stated. "I was told London will be cold but not so cold. Your warm welcome makes me feel at home. I am grateful to PM Cameron for his kind words," Modi said. "I want to thank PM Cameron and acknowledge the affection he has towards India," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the people after delivering his address, at Wembley Stadium, in London on November 13
and contemporary music performances. There was also a performance by Scottish bagpipers. Special 'Modi Express' buses were deployed to transport the attendees from across the UK. Modi, who acknowledged that terrorism is a challenge to both India and the UK, asserted that the Sufi tradition is the best antidote to terrorism and anybody who understood the message of this tenet would not have picked up the gun. "Kabir and Rahim have been our inspirations. Sufi tradition is the best antidote to terrorism," he said, adding the two main challenges facing the world today are terrorism and global warming. Addressing the issue of terrorism, Cameron said this is a threat
have started pampering poverty" he said, adding that India's demographic profile is predominantly
Modi told the gathering that newspaper and TV headlines are not the barometer to assess a country, a veiled reference to a number of reports in the British media that were critical of his past and his record on human rights
Modi told the gathering that newspaper and TV headlines are not the barometer to assess a country, a veiled reference to a number of reports in the British media that were critical of his past and his record on human rights besides bringing up the issue of perceived intolerance in India. "India is not only that much what is seen in newspapers. India is much bigger. India with its 125 crore people is much bigger and better with a preeminent position beyond the screen of Television," he said. Referring to his meeting with leaders of the Sikh community, Modi said, "We shared our thoughts on various subjects. I understand their pain on some issues as well".
Modi said the two dreams India were working towards was a clean India and India with 24/7 electricity. "18,000 villages in India need electricity. In next 1,000 days we will ensure they get it." "The pace and direction of progress in India is such that the fruits of development will be seen very soon," he said. "World is seeing India as a land of many opportunities". The Prime Minister announced a direct Air India flight between Ahmedabad and London from December 15. He said this connectivity had been established in 2003 during Vajpayee government but was discontinued later. "What is the use of taking names as to who did it," he said in apparent dig at the UPA government. During the course of his 75minute address, Modi referred to a youth Imran Khan of Alwar in Rajasthan who made 50 mobile applications and dedicated them to the students without charging anything. "My India resides in people like Imran Khan," he said. Stating that FDI into India has increased by 40 per cent, Modi said this showed the increasing international confidence in India. Setting the tone for the global summit on climate change in Paris later this month, Modi said India will take a lead in showing to the world how to deal with the problem. He said he will be hosting a meeting of countries rich in solar energy resources to help tap the renewable energy. The Prime Minister referred to the defense sector and said efforts were on to ensure that weapons systems including submarines, tanks, planes, warships are made in India which will help the country save millions of dollars. He said all major global players in defense sector are knocking at India's door expressing keenness to manufacture in India. -PTI
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6 significant agreements in 9-bn pound deals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of United Kingdom (UK), David Cameron, at delegation-level talks, in 10 Downing Street, London on November 12
LONDON: Six significant agreements were among 9-billion pound deals signed between India and the UK during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the country. 1. Vodafone to invest 1.3-billion pound in upgrading and expanding its network in India; creating new tech centers in Pune and Hyderabad and creating new data centers and a new payment
bank. 2. Light Source to invest 2 billion pounds in India to design and manage 3GW of solar power over next five years which will lead to creating 300 jobs in India as well as 300 in Britain. 3. Intelligent Energy signed a 1.2-billion pound contract to provide clean energy to 27,400 telecoms towers in India and towards the deployment of hydro-
gen fuel cell power. 4. King's College Hospitals Foundation Trust and Indo-UK Healthcare to set up a hospital in Chandigarh. This will be the first of 11 new India-UK hospitals in India. Over a period the deal will be worth 1 billion pound investment into Indian healthcare. 5. India Bulls to invest 66 million pound in British start-up bank
Modi raises student visa issue with Cameron LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over a sharp decline in the number of Indian students coming to study in the UK and problems faced by them while applying for visas during his talks with British counterpart David Cameron. "The Prime Minister raised the issue [of student visas] very strongly. The Prime Minister said that Indian student numbers in the UK has fallen by 50 per cent in the last three years," Ministry of
win-win partnership for both sides. Indians needing a quality education and the UK benefiting from the expertise that Indian students bring," the spokesperson said. "The Prime Minister said we are right now in a situation where countries are actually wooing Indian students because India has the biggest education market today. There's a burgeoning middle class, there is an inspirational upper class that wants to educate its kids abroad and it's an
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks as his UK counterpart David Cameron looks on during a joint press conference in London on November 12
External Affairs spokesperson said. "He urged that Indian students are among the best and the brightest in the world and it would be a
opportunity to tap into what has become a big economic market," he said. In reference to Cameron's response on the issue, he said:
"There was a lot of understanding and appreciation. This is a matter for continued discussion. I don't think we can close the chapter on this." The number of Indian students coming to the UK fell from 18,535 in 2010-11 to 10,235 in 2012-13, according to a report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Universities have previously warned that negative impacts from the Conservatives' drive to reduce net migration is harming their recruitment of international students, calling for students to be removed from net migration figures. The removal of post-study work visa route, which allowed students to work for two years after finishing their course, has been seen is one of the major offputting factors for Indian students, who are choosing destinations like the US and Australia over the UK. -PTI
Oaknorth. 6. Yes Bank and London Stock Exchange (LSE) signed a bond and equity issuance deal in green
infrastructure finance and have future plans to issue a green bond to the tune of 300 million pounds. -PTI
Nothing was off the table with Modi: Cameron LONDON: British Prime MinOver 200 prominent authors ister David Cameron has said that including Salman Rushdie had the concerns of freedom of asked Cameron in a letter to raise speech raised by over 200 authors the issue of "rising climate of in an open letter to him were dis- fear" and "growing intolerance" cussed during talks with his In- in India with Modi. dian counterpart Narendra Modi. Booker Prize winner Rushdie, The British Prime Minister recent Booker prize shortlisted stressed that the UK remained British-Indian author Neel positive about Mukherjee and other well-known the positive in- names like Ian McEwan and Hari vestment climate Kunzru were among the signatoin the country. ries of the open letter to "We talked Cameron. about the letter Cameron described his private and as ever in dinner with Modi at his country our relationship, residence in Chequers as his pernothing was off sonal highlight. the table in terms "I think the highlight for me of the subjects was having dinner together at we discussed. I Chequers and the ability to talk see India as I see very privately about the chalBritain, a country lenges we both face. We had that is a vibrant multi-racial, multi-faith, multi-ethnic democracy that has The highlight for me was very strong public debate, freedom of having dinner together at speech, rule of law and Chequers and the ability to those are things that Britain and India con- talk very privately about the tinue to learn from each other," Cameron told challenges we both face PTI. Asked about his views on the reports of a curb on very good discussions," he said. freedom of speech coming out of On the overall visit, he added: India, he said, "I think what is hap- "It's been a fantastic visit bepening in India is that there is a cause we are taking the visit to a Prime Minister with a very clear much higher level and we ve got mandate to reform and open up not just the big business deals of 9 the Indian economy to invest- billion and the jobs and the growth ment. That was the message very but the partnerships of energy and strongly received here in Britain." infrastructure and skills. -PTI
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Isolate those who harbor terrorists: Modi LONDON: In a veiled reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here should be a global resolve to "isolate" those who harbor terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them "honestly".
voice and act in unison to combat terrorism, calling it a "challenge of our times." Dwelling on terrorism among other subjects during his 25minute speech, Modi said there should be no distinction between
nations that will fight them honestly. And, we need a social movement against extremism in countries where it is most prevalent and, every effort to delink religion and terrorism," he said. "The world must speak in one
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the British Parliament, in Westminster, London on November 12
Addressing MPs in British Parliament's Royal Gallery, Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UK in 10 years, said the world must speak in one
terrorist groups or discrimination between nations. "There should be a resolve to isolate those who harbor terrorists and willingness to stand with
voice and act in unison to combat this challenge of our times," Modi said while stating that terrorism and extremism are a global force that are larger than their chang-
ing names, groups, territories and targets. "We must adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN without delay. There should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations. On the situation in the Indian sub-continent, Modi said India wants an Afghanistan that is shaped by the dreams of the great Afghan people, not by "irrational fears and overreaching ambitions" of others. Modi told the British parliamentarians that we are living in a world where instability in a distant region quickly reaches our doorsteps and that we see this in the challenges of radicalization and refugees. "The fault lines are shifting from the boundaries of nations into the web of our societies and the streets of our cities," he said. Stating that he is truly honored to speak in the British Parliament, Modi said even in this globalize world, London is still the standard for our times. Modi said Indians invest more in Britain than in the rest of European Union combined not be-
cause they want to save on interpretation costs, but because they find an environment that is welcoming and familiar. India is the third largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in the UK. Stating that India is new bright spot of hope and opportunity for the world, the Prime Minister said India among other things is igniting the engines of its manufacturing sector and making its farms more productive and more resilient. "If you visit India, you will experience the wind of change," he told his audience. Cont’d on page 8
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Modi cites Nehru, Manmohan in address LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited his predecessors Jawaharlal Nehru and Manmohan Singh to highlight the connected histories of India and the UK during his historic address to British MPs. "So much of the modern history of India is linked to this building. So much history looms across our relationship," Modi said. "I will only say that many freedom fighters of India found their calling in the institutions of Britain. And, many makers of modern India, including several of my distinguished predecessors, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Dr Manmohan Singh, passed through their doors," he said amid criticism from the opposition that Modi in his speeches ignored the legacy of Nehru and the Congress party in India's progress. Modi thanked Commons Speaker John Bercow for opening the doors of the Royal Court to him despite the Parliament is not in session. "There are many things on which it is hard to tell anymore if they are British or Indian: The Jaguar or the Scotland Yard, for example. The Brooke Bond tea or my friend late Lord Ghulam Nun's curry.... And, we love the Bhangra rap from London just as you like the English novel from India," he said.
"On the way to this event, Prime Minister (David) Cameron and I paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi outside the Parliament. I was reminded of a question I was asked on a tour abroad. How is it that the statue of Gandhi stands outside the British Parliament? "To that question, my answer is: The British are wise enough to recognize his greatness; Indians are generous enough to share him; we are both fortunate enough to have been touched by his life and mission; and, we are both smart enough to use the strengths of our connected histories to power the future of our relationship," he said. "At the heart of London, in the middle of Parliament Square, Bapu is immortalized. The 2 PMs (Modi
and Cameron) pay homage to the Mahatma," External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted as Modi for the first time saw the statue near the British Parliament and paid tributes to the Father of Nation. -PTI
Isolate those who harbor terrorists: Modi Cont’d from page 7
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of United Kingdom (UK), David Cameron at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, outside the UK Parliament, in Westminster, London on November 12
Modi mixes his address with humor LONDON: Prime Minister Minister, that you owe me royalty Lord's pitch swings unfairly or the wicket at Eden Gardens cracks too Narendra Modi left the British for an election slogan," he said. Modi said that there are many early. MPs and their peers in splits a few "And, we love the Bhangra rap times during his address at the things on which it is hard to tell Parliament's Royal Gallery here as anymore if they are British or In- from London just as you like the English novel from India," he said. he entwined his speech with hu- dian. mor invoking D a v i d Beckham to Bhangra rap. Thanking the UK Parliament speaker for opening the doors to him, Modi left the house cracking as he said, "I know that the Parliament is not in Session. Prime Minister Cameron looks relaxed and reModi arrives for addressing the Members of Parliament at the UK Parliament’s Royal Gallery lieved". He went on Referring to his visit to "The Jaguar or the Scotland to remind Prime Minister Cameron the slogan - "Phir ek baar, Yard, for example. The Brooke Wembley, which has the iconic Cameron Sarkar' - used by him in Bond tea or my friend late Lord football ground, Modi said, "Even in India, every young footballer the British elections earlier this Ghulam Nun's curry," he said. The Prime Minister said the wants to bend it like Beckham". year. "I want to remind you, Mr. Prime strongest debates are whether the PTI
institutions and regimes. "It has helped us both advance our common interests". "Inspired by Gandhiji, the change has begun with us the way the government works. There is transparency and accountability in governance. There is boldness and speed in decisions. Federalism is no longer the fault line of Centre-State relations, but the definition of a new partnership of Team India. "Citizens now have the ease of trust, not the burden of proof and process. Businesses find an environment that is open and easy
On domestic issues, Modi said federalism is no longer the fault line of Centre-State relations, but the definition of a new partnership of Team India. "Citizens now have the ease of trust, not the burden of proof and process. Businesses find an environment that is open and easy to work in," he said. "And, the motto of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, is our vision of a nation, in which every citizen belongs, participates and prospers," Modi said. Modi said Indian and UK security agencies work together so "Inspired by Gandhiji, the that our children return change has begun with us home safe and our increasingly networked the way the government lives are not prey to the threats on cyber space. works. There is transparency "Our Armed Forces and accountability in exercise with each other, so that they can stand governance� more strongly for the values we represent. This year alone, we have had three to work in. In a nation connected exercises together," he said. by cell phones, Digital India is He mentioned that a peaceful, transforming the interface bestable Indian Ocean Region is vi- tween Government and people," tal for global commerce and pros- he said. perity. Modi said the motto of 'Sab Ka "And, the future of Asia Pacific Saath, Sab Ka Vikas', is his vision region will have profound impact of a nation, in which every citizen on all of us. We both have huge belongs, participates and prosstakes in West Asia and the Gulf," pers. he said amid increasing Chinese It is not just a call for economic assertiveness in South China Sea. inclusion. It is also a celebration He said UK's support to India of our diversity, the creed for soin the international arena, has cial harmony, and, a commitment made it more possible for India to to individual liberties and rights, take her rightful place in global he said.-PTI
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3.2 bn pound deal on energy, climate change LONDON: Ahead of the Paris climate summit, India and Britain have agreed on a comprehensive package of collaboration on energy and climate change which includes commercial deals worth 3.2 billion pounds. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit, the two countries reaffirmed the importance of addressing climate change and promoting secure, affordable and sustainable supplies of energy that will support economic growth, energy security and energy access. "The UK and India's partnership on energy is going from
strength to strength. We share world-class expertise in research and innovation. The UK's experience in green finance and technology in particular makes us well-placed to work together to promote secure, affordable and sustainable supplies of energy and address climate change," said UK energy and climate change Secretary Amber Rudd. "The upcoming talks in Paris will be a crucial moment in the fight against climate change and I am pleased to be able to work closely with India to ensure that the deal we secure helps to keep the below 2 degree limit on global warm-
ing within reach," she added. The package encompasses 3.2 billion pounds of commercial agreements, joint research programs and initiatives to share technical, scientific, and financial and policy expertise. This is aimed at encouraging the research, development and eventual deployment of clean technology, renewables, gas and nuclear. As part of the package, Britain also announced the UK Climate Investments joint venture with the Green Investment Bank. This will invest up to 200 million pounds in renewable energy and energy ef-
ficiency in India and Africa. The two countries also agreed on the need for an ambitious and comprehensive global agreement to tackle climate change in Paris later this month and that the agreement should signal to investors and innovators the long term commitment of governments to clean and more sustainable economies. Modi and his UK counterpart David Cameron also welcomed the completion of negotiations for a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to closer civil nuclear collabora-
tion between the UK and India. PTI
Top CEOs seek transparency, uniform treatment LONDON: Top CEOs from India and the UK on pitched for a more transparent and consistent decision-making regime as also a uniform treatment of corporates across the world, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to
Cameron encouraged the company chairs and chief executives to identify the "best ways to build new trade partnerships and investment opportunities and use the strength of existing commercial relationships to identify and
on mutual respect and shared values," said Mistry, who was joined by the likes of Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, Tata Consultancy Services CEO & MD N Chandrasekaran and Bharat Forge chairman Baba Kalyani.
construction, information and communications technology, creative industries and healthcare. In the UK, around 800 Indian businesses employ 110,000 people. "The two Prime Ministers wel-
comed the first meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEOs Forum. This Forum will be tasked with advising the Prime Ministers about the trade and investment opportunities and challenges," a joint statement issued by Modi and Cameron said. The forum is backed by the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Modi had sought to pre-empt some of the issues around taxation, foreign direct investment (FDI) and intellectual property rights (IPR) that were expected to feature in the closed-door talks on Friday during his speech at the Guildhall in the City of London on Thursday evening. "We have taken very decisive steps to remove a number of long pending concerns. To give you some examples, we have expedited regulatory clearances including security and environmental clearance...," Modi had said.-PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and David Cameron at the India-UK CEOs Forum in London on November 13
"ceaselessly" work towards Indian economy's integration with the world. A reconstituted India-UK CEOs Forum, during its first meeting on Friday, identified six overarching themes as important areas of collaboration to take forward - smart cities and the digital economy, healthcare sector, education and skills, engineering, defense and security, and financial and professional services. The meeting took place in presence of Modi as well as his British counterpart David Cameron. "We are confidently, consistently and ceaselessly working to integrate our economy with the world," Modi told the gathering at 11 Downing Street, next door to Cameron's office in London.
build more partnerships between innovative Indian and UK companies". The forum was co-chaired by Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry on the Indian side and Standard Life chairman Sir Gerry Grimstone on the UK side. "The common ask of the industry in both countries is a business environment characterized by simplicity in structures and processes, clarity and transparency in decision-making and uniformity and consistency in the treatment of corporates and people across borders," Mistry said. "The new UK-India CEO Forum provides a powerful foundation with which to implement initiatives that will bring our two countries closer together, based
"Today's meeting was a great opportunity to celebrate the success of the UK-India commercial relationship. India is the third largest investor in the UK, and the UK is the largest G20 investor in India," Gerry Grimstone said. "This forum will forge deeper collaboration in areas where there is scope to take relationship to the next levels," said Grimstone, whose UK team included leading British company representatives like Vodafone chief executive Vitorio Calao, BAE CEO Ian King and Rolls-Royce CEO Warren East. The UK is the largest G20 investor in India, with 535 UK businesses employing 691,000 people across the country in sectors as diverse as retail, infrastructure,
Promise to protect Intellectual Property Rights LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured British business honchos that India is committed to protect Intellectual Property Rights of all innovators and entrepreneurs and that a comprehensive National IPR policy is being finalized. His comments came at a time when several countries and multinational corporations want India to bring its patent laws at par with global standards. Analysts believe that a comprehensive IPR policy would help the government pull in investor into its 'Make in India' initiative. "I am personally convinced
and want to assure you that India is committed to protect Intellectual Property Rights of all innovators and entrepreneurs," he said addressing the Business Forum here. He said the government has taken several initiatives for transparency and online processing in IP administration. "A comprehensive National IPR policy is being finalized," he said. Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had last month said a national IPR policy will soon be taken to the Cabinet for approval. -PTI
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Queen hosts Modi at Buckingham Palace LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Queen Elizabeth II who hosted a luncheon for him at the Buckingham Palace, an honor usually reserved for the visiting heads of state. Modi arrived at the Palace in a Jaguar built by the Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) - on the second day of his maiden high-profile three-day official visit to the UK. He was welcomed by the Master of the Household, the Queen's representative, as he entered the Palace with the words "A very warm welcome to you, sir."
The 89-year-old Queen greeted Modi, shaking hands with him before they moved on to inspect items from the Royal Collection, brought out specially for the Prime Minister's visit. These included photographs of the Queen dating back to her India visit when she was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade in 1961. Modi presented the Queen some awardwinning Darjeeling tea from Makaibari tea estate in West Bengal and fine organic honey from J&K. The royal chefs of Buckingham Palace
had prepared a vegetarian meal for the Prime Minister. Later, Kensington Palace announced that Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton will undertake their first visit to India in the first half of next year. It is believed the Royal couple, both aged 33, will visit the Taj Mahal among other tourist destinations in the country. Soon after the lunch, Modi made his way to Wembley Stadium to address a 60,000strong crowd. Both Modi and his British counterpart David Cameron drove up to the world fa-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, of the United Kingdom, at Buckingham Palace, in London on November 13
mous arena in Jaguar Land Rover vehicles as another symbol of India-UK partnership. The two leaders have been by each other's side for most of the three-day visit. During their more private meeting at Chequers, Cameron's country residence in Buckinghamshire, the duo shared an "intimate dinner" and morning stroll around the grounds. Modi planted an oak sapling and also presented Cameron with a copy of David Omissi's 'Indian Voices of the Great War' in view of the latter's fondness for Robert Graves' work on World War I 'Goodbye to All That'. -PTI
Narendra Modi presents gifts to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Modi being received by David Cameron and Mrs Cameron at Wembley Stadium, in London on November 13
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Ground ready for take-off of Indian economy LONDON: Wooing British investors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here that "necessary conditions" for take-off of the In-
ernment and companies, Modi vowed "my personal care in making your dreams a reality." Modi was speaking before a
have been created. Never before, India was so well prepared to absorb talent, technology and investment from outside. I can as-
Narendra Modi addressing the City of London at Indo-UK Business Meeting in The Old Library, at Guildhall, London on November 12
dian economy have been created and held out an assurance that it will get "better and better" in the coming days. Modi said India is among the "most open" countries for foreign investments with the latest round of FDI reforms, asserting, at this point of time, it is "wiser to be in India." Stating that he is personally eager to work with the British Gov-
business audience at the historic Guildhall in the heart of the city of London's financial district on the first day of this three-day visit to the UK - the first by an Indian Premier in 10 years. The Prime Minister also sounded hopeful of India successfully rolling out the new goods and services tax in 2016. "Necessary conditions for take-off of the Indian economy
sure you that it will get better and better in the coming days. "We will be open to welcome your ideas, innovations and enterprises. We are open to carry out necessary corrections in our policies and procedures," he said. Stating that there were a number of regulatory and taxation issues which were adversely impacting on the sentiments of foreign investors, Modi said the govern-
Vodafone to invest Rs 13,000 cr in India LONDON: British telecom group Vodafone has committed investments totaling Rs 13,000 crore in India for capacity augmentation and new business initiatives. The investment was committed to by Vittorio Colao, CEO of Vodafone Group Plc, in his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here. "Since starting operations in India in 2007, Vodafone has already invested over Rs 111,000 crore and over Rs 100,000 cr contributed to the exchequer and is today the largest FDI investor in the country," the company said in a statement. Colao said, "At Vodafone, we are enthused with the PM's vision for 'Digital India' and 'Make in India'. Vodafone India serves over 188 million citizens, of which almost 100 million are from rural areas. "As the co-creator of the telecom ecosystem, a catalyst of the telecom revolution in India and being committed for the long term, we are ideally poised to partner the Government of India in
fulfilling these important initiatives. We are pleased to announce our enhanced commitment to India through this series of significant further investments." The committed investment of Rs 13,000 crore includes Rs 8,000 crore to enhance, upgrade and
The committed investment of Rs 13,000 crore includes Rs 8,000 crore to enhance, upgrade and expand network coverage and Rs 3,000 crore to further increase capacity expand network coverage and Rs 3,000 crore to further increase capacity and upgrade its high-end technology centre and IT and customer experience centers in Pune and Ahmedabad. These centers service Vodafone companies globally, ex-
emplifying the 'Make in India' opportunity and highlighting its success to the world. Another Rs 1,000 crore will be for setting up a state-of- the-art Tier-4 data centre. This is the first of its kind in the Indian telecom sector and is specially designed to service the evolving communications needs of businesses and enterprises, the statement said. A similar amount of Rs 1,000 crores will be towards the payment bank for which Vodafone MPesa Ltd. has received an in-principle license from RBI. "This will provide further impetus to MPesa s focus on financial inclusion and accelerate India s journey into a cashless economy." Vodafone said the planned capacity expansions and investments in the high-end technology centre and the customer service centers will create opportunities for employment and for skilling and training India s rich talent pool. "Vodafone will accordingly increase its staffing levels to 15,000 employees over the next two years," the statement said.-PTI
ment has taken "very decisive" steps to remove a number of long pending concerns. In this context, he cited examples like how regulatory clearances including security and environmental clearance have been expedited and increasing the validity period of defense industrial licenses up to eighteen years from three years previously. "Since my Government took over, we have been working relentlessly to put the economy on track.," he said, adding," The results of our hard work are now visible. IMF Chief has recently said that India is among few bright
spots in global economy today. Our growth rate in the last year was 7.3 per cent."-PTI
UK media rakes up Modi's past LONDON: The British media provided substantive coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit but a number of reports were critical of his past and his record on human rights. Important newspapers like The Guardian, The Times and The Independent gave quite a space for the controversies surrounding Modi, the 2002 riots that took place in Gujarat when he was Chief Minister and the British government's attitude towards him till 2012 when it warmed up to him. "All is forgiven. Mr Modi" said the caption for the front-paged photograph in Daily Telegraph while the Times' story began, "Britain will continue to pursue
stronger ties with India despite Narendra Modi's record on human rights, David Cameron insisted." "High security and Cameron's praise for persona non-grata Modi" read the headline in The Guardian which also carried a critical piece by noted British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor. Unlike the US, which had refused visa for Modi, Britain had not barred him from visiting the country but remained cold to him for 10 years. Columnist Philip Collins wrote in The Times that the "egregious PM is not a man who shares our values - but Britain's relationship with India is bigger than one man." -PTI
Hundreds protest against Modi's visit LONDON: Few hundred pro- India'. testers staged a demonstration A number of groups had earoutside Downing Street here lier announced a "day of protest" against Prime Minister Narendra coinciding with Modi's visit. Modi's visit to the UK. Protesters representing Sikh, Tamil, Kashmiri, Gujarati, Nepali and women's groups chanted 'Modi Go Home' and 'Back off Modi' as he was welcomed by British Prime Minister David Cameron Protestors demonstrating against Modi holding around lunchtime at placards and chanting outside Downing Street in 10 Downing Street. Central London on November 12 The protesters were carrying placards like The "Modi Not Welcome" 'Hindutva is threat to Indian campaign is led by the Awaaz Netunity', 'Modi not welcome in UK' work which is spearheading the and 'Stop religious persecution in protests.-PTI
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Madame Tussauds' to open in Delhi LONDON: Madame Tussauds', world famous Wax Museum, will open its new venture in New Delhi for Bollywood stars as part of the India-UK Year of Culture in 2017, it was officially announced here coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the UK. Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif are among the most popular
Bollywood. We have some of the best cultural exports in the world - and it's about time we celebrated this, together," Cameron said. The British Library will be digitizing 200,000 pages of their South Asian archives, making India books from 1714 to 1914 accessible around the globe. A year long-program to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Indian independence and UK cultural ties has
MadameTussaud Museum London
exhibits at the famous waxworks in London. According to the announcement by British Prime Minister David Cameron, a Shakespeare First Folio, treasures from the British Museum and a copy of the Magna Carts will go on touring displays in India for the 2017 cultural exchange. A festival of India will be staged in the UK during the year. "The great partnership between India and the UK extends beyond economic ties to the boards of The Bard and the beaches of
been announced by Cameron. The Year of Culture 2017 will see an exciting festival of events celebrating the vibrant cultural history of the 2 countries. Top UK institutions will partner with their Indian counterparts to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two nations, and showcase British creativity on the global stage. "The great partnership between India and the UK extends beyond economic ties to the boards of The Bard and the beaches of Bollywood. We have some of the
best cultural exports in the world and it's about time we celebrated this, together. To mark the start of this cultural pairing, the British Library will be digitizing 200,000 pages of their South Asian archives," Cameron said. "Two centuries of Indian print will be part of a major program to make the wealth of Indian printed books held by the British Library dating from 1714 to 1914 accessible to anyone around the globe," he said. The parent group of Madame Tussauds', Merlin, is set to invest 50 million pounds in India over 10 years, rolling out other UK favorites such as Sea Life aquariums and Legoland Discovery Centers across Indian cities. Two of the most iconic British texts will tour India as part of the program. The British Library will showcase Shakespeare's First Folio the first collected edition of the Bard's plays and the 1225 edition of the Magna Carta. One of India's premier museums the CSMVS Mumbai will tell the story of Indian civilization in the context of world history using some items on loan from the British Museum. The UK is already a big hit with Indian tourists. Last year saw a record breaking 400,000 visits to the UK from India and in the first half of 2015 Indian tourists spent 199 million pounds during their stays. -PTI
Artists perform at the welcome programme for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Wembley Stadium in London
TCS to train 1,000 graduates from UK LONDON: India's largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services has said it has partnered British Council to train 1,000 university graduates in the UK at its Innovation Labs and software development centers. The announcement comes during the UK visit of Prime M i n i s t e r Narendra Modi. Under the initiative, 1,000 British university graduates will have the opportunity to spend a year training and working for TCS at its Innovation Labs and software development centers across India between 2016 and 2020, TCS said in a statement. The students will receive training in technical and commercial skills as well as digital and business skills. Applications for the internships will open in the coming months, with the first cohort set to begin their roles in India in Summer 2016. With employment opportunities in the UK IT sector set to grow
"This partnership marks a great new phase in the UK s developing relationship with India... India is emerging as a global superpower and initiatives such as this will enable the next generations in both countries to engage, learn and grow with each other," British Council Chief Executive Sir Ciar n Devane said. Between 2015 and 2020, Generation UK-India aims to support up to 25,000 young people coming from the UK to travel to India to gain experience, exposure and skills. Since its launch in November 2014 by Greg Clark, UK Minister for Universities, Science and Cities and Indian Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani, Generation UK-India has received more than 7,000 registrations and with over 2,600 completed applications for the first 500 places. "As a technology partner to many large British businesses, we see their desire to exploit new and exciting opportunities presented by digital technologies. However, all too often, our customers are unable to do this quickly as the UK talent pool needs knowledge and training in these new technologies," TCS Chief Executive Officer and MD N Chandrasekaran said. By providing 1,000 British
at almost twice the UK average employment rate between now and 2020 according to the Tech Partnership, the Social Market Foundation has predicted that the country faces a shortfall in domestic supply of around 40,000 graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics per year. The TCS-British Council partnership aims to address this challenge by helping to foster the next generation of digital talent and provide British employers with the graduates they will need to succeed in the future, the statement added.
graduates with the opportunity to work and train with TCS, TCS hopes to help address this skills shortage and give UK employers access to the digital expertise that they will need to compete and succeed in the hyper-connected Digital Economy, he added. TCS has been operating in the UK since 1975 and works with some of the UK's biggest businesses including 33 of the FTSE 100. It has more than 11,000 UK employees working across 30 locations in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, Ipswich, Norwich, Peterborough, Swindon, Redhill and Liverpool. -PTI
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120 dead in Paris attacks by suspected IS men PARIS: A series of attacks targeting young concert-goers, soccer fans and Parisians enjoying a Friday night out at popular nightspots killed at least 120 people in the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II. President Francois Hollande condemned it as terrorism and pledged that France would stand firm against its foes. The worst carnage was at a
not clear how many there were altogether and how many, if any, were still at large. Authorities said the death toll could exceed 120 for at least six sites, including the national stadium and a tight circle of popular nightspots. Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced that he was closing the country's borders. Metro lines shut down and streets emptied on the mild fall
Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced that he was closing the country's borders. Metro lines shut down and streets emptied on the mild fall evening as fear spread through the city, still aching from the horrors of the Charlie Hebdo attack concert hall hosting an American rock band, where scores of people were held hostage and attackers ended the standoff by detonating explosive belts. Police who stormed the building, killing at least three attackers, encountered a bloody scene of horror inside. Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said as many as five attackers were killed, though it was
evening as fear spread through the city, still aching from the horrors of the Charlie Hebdo attack just 10 months ago. The attack unfolded with two suicide bombings and an explosion outside the national stadium during a soccer match between the French and German national teams. Within minutes, according to Paris police chief Michel Cadot, another group of attackers
sprayed cafes outside the concert hall with machine gunfire, then stormed inside and opened fire on the panicked audience. As police closed in, they detonated explosive belts, killing themselves. Hollande, who had to be evacuated from the stadium when the bombs went off outside, later vowed that the nation would stand firm and united: "A determined France, a united France, a France that joins together and a France that will not allow itself to be staggered even if today, there is infinite emotion faced with this disaster, this tragedy, which is an abomination, because it is barbarism." There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, although jihadists on Twitter immediately praised them and criticized France's military operations against Islamic State extremists. In addition to the deaths at the concert hall, dozens were killed in an attack on a restaurant in the 10th arrondissement and several other establishments crowded on a Friday night, police said. Authorities said at least three people died when the bombs went off outside the soccer stadium. All of the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because
Suu Kyi party wins historic Myanmar polls YANGON: Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition has won a parliamentary majority from weekend polls that will allow it to elect a president and form a government in a historic shift in power from the army. The election, the first Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party has contested since 1990, saw a huge turnout that has yielded more than 80 percent of seats for the NLD. After a drip-feed of results from the Union Election Commission, the NLD has sailed through the two-thirds majority it needs to rule, claiming 348 parliamentary seats with a number of results yet to be declared. Government now beckons for Suu Kyi's party in a seismic change of the political landscape in a country controlled for five decades by the military. A comfortable majority gives Suu Kyi's party control of the lower and upper houses, allowing it to elect the president and form the government. A big majority gives Suu Kyi, 70, leverage in the political wrangling ahead with a military establishment that has been chastened at the polls but retains sweeping powers.
Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency by a junta-scripted constitution, which also guarantees the army a 25 per cent bloc of seats. She has already vowed to govern from "above the president" saying she will circumnavigate the charter ban by appointing a proxy for the top office.
Bouyed by the sweep of the polls, Suu Kyi called for "national reconciliation talks" with President Thein Sein and army chief Min Aung Hlaing. Both men have congratulated the NLD on its election performance The NLD "will be able to pass whatever law they want, they won't need to form coalitions, they won't need to reach out across the aisle," independent Myanmar analyst Richard Horsey told AFP. But during the transition the
NLD will need to be mindful "to keep everyone on board," he added. Bouyed by the sweep of the polls, Suu Kyi called for "national reconciliation talks" with President Thein Sein and army chief Min Aung Hlaing. Both men have congratulated the NLD on its election performance and have vowed to abide by the result as well as help a peaceful transition of power. Thein Sein's ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, which is made up of former military cadres, has been mauled at the election. Yet the president, a former general who swapped his uniform for civilian clothes to lead the government in 2011, has won praise for steering the reforms that culminated in Sunday's peaceful poll. UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon congratulated Suu Kyi for her election win, but also hailed the "courage and vision" of Thein Sein for "leadership in the reform process". The international community has welcomed the election, with US President Barack Obama calling both Suu Kyi and the president to offer his congratulations. -AFP
they were not authorized to be publicly named in the quickly moving investigation. "This is a terrible ordeal that again assails us," Hollande said in a nationally televised address. "We know where it comes from, who these criminals are, who these terrorists are." US President Barack Obama,
France has heightened security measures ahead of a major global climate conference that starts in two weeks, out of fear of violent protests and potential terrorist attacks. Hollande canceled a planned trip to this weekend's G-20 summit in Turkey, which was to focus in large part on growing fears of
French special forces evacuate people, including an injured man holding his head, as people gather near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France, November 13
speaking to reporters in Washington, decried an "attack on all humanity," calling the Paris violence an "outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians" and vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice. Two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France stadium north of Paris during a France-Germany exhibition soccer game. A police union official, Gregory Goupil of the Alliance Police Nationale, whose region includes the area of the stadium, said there were two suicide attacks and a bombing that killed at least three people near two entrances and a McDonalds. The blasts penetrated the sounds of cheering fans, according to an Associated Press reporter in the stadium. Sirens were immediately heard, and a helicopter was circling overhead.
terrorism carried out by Islamic extremists. Emilio Macchio, from Ravenna, Italy, was at Le Carillon restaurant, one of the restaurants targeted, having a beer on the sidewalk, when the shooting started. He said he didn't see any gunmen or victims, but hid behind a corner, then ran away. "It sounded like fireworks," he said. France has been on edge since January, when Islamic extremists attacked the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Twenty people died, including the three attackers. The Charlie Hebdo attackers claimed links to extremists in Yemen, while the kosher market attacker claimed ties to the Islamic State group. This time, they targeted young people enjoying a rock concert and ordinary city residents enjoying a Friday night out. -AP
Modi condemns terrorist attacks in France LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris that has killed at least 100 people, saying that the "news from Paris is anguishing and dreadful". "News from Paris is anguishing & dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of
France in this tragic hour," Modi tweeted soon after the attacks. France was rocked by multiple, near simultaneous attacks on entertainment sites around Paris that killed at least 120 people and hostages being held in a concert hall. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack. -PTI
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Washington, D.C. glows in Diwali celebration India Post News Service
WASHINGTON, DC: The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) co-hosted the Congressional Diwali celebration in the nation's capital last week alongside Indiaspora, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, and Coalition of Hindu Temples in North America. Other organizations including Art of Living (AOL), Hindu Mandirs Executives' Conference, Sikh Council on Religion and Education, and Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) also participated in supporting the event. Over twelve hundred guests packed the Library of Congress last Wednesday at the invitation of participating national Indian American groups who planned the mammoth event with the support of Congressman Ami Bera, co-chair of the House India Caucus. "Community organizations from across America were key to ensuring Diwali came onto prominent stages in our nation's capital," said Suhag Shukla, HAF Executive Director and Legal Counsel. "Dozens of Congressional officials greeted hundreds of Indian Americans thanks to the teamwork and efforts of dedicated volunteers." Hindu priests, from the DCarea based Sri Siva Vishnu Temple chanted Hindu hymns as 30 Congressional leaders, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congress-
Diwali celebrated in the Grand Hall of the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building
woman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), ascended to the podium. "I would like to wish all of you the very best and a Happy Diwali! Diwali represents the victory of light over darkness, truth over untruth, righteousness over wrong," said Congresswoman Gabbard. "[A]s we light our lamps for Diwali, let us light the lamps of love for God within our hearts. Let us share the light of His unconditional love for us and do what we can
to bring about positive change in the world." Ambassador Arun Singh from the Embassy of India also delivered greetings from the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Thursday's events began with a morning meditation for staffers on Capitol Hill, guided by representatives from Art of Living, and attended by Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH). Shortly after, HAF, in conjunction with Indiaspora and dozens of community mem-
India-born Canada Minister faces racist remarks TORONTO: Canada's newlyappointed Sikh Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan has allegedly faced racist remarks by a soldier on social media, prompting the Canadian Armed Forces to launch a probe. The military declined to identify the soldier or precisely what was written, but a source said the non- commissioned member from Quebec, made an "inappropriate statement" on Facebook about India-born Sajjan's "ethnic background", The Globe and Mail reported. Sajjan immigrated to Canada from India when he was a young boy. The offensive post, which was written in French, was quickly removed. A Forces spokesman said the army's chain of command is prob-
ing the matter. Sajjan is a decorated military
Harjit Sajjan
veteran who served three tours of duty for the Forces in Afghanistan, and one in Bosnia, and worked as a detective in the Vancouver Police Service.
The incident of disrespect to the minister prompted Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West to send an e-mail to soldiers warning against such conduct, the newspaper said. He lamented the fact a highranking member of the Forces made "negative" comments about the minister and warned them against disrespectful behavior, adding that to say he is angry would be an understatement. The Forces issued a strong statement condemning the behavior. "We are very much aware of an incident in which a Canadian Armed Forces member wrote inappropriate comments on social media about the new Minister of National Defense," Forces spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said.-PTI
bers, organized an advocacy effort to support House Resolution 32 and Senate Resolution 113, urging the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a postage stamp in honor of Diwali. Community members knocked on the doors of a hundred Congressional offices requesting their cosponsorship. "Diwali is a festival that transcends linguistic, cultural and national barriers, and very much reflects the essence of America's
pluralistic core," said Jay Kansara, HAF Director of Government Relations. "The endorsement of dozens of Congressional leaders towards the Diwali stamp initiative displays the growing influence of Hindu Americans. HAF is proud to be part of that effort as we continue to advocate for various issues including civil liberties and human rights of Hindus and others in the United States as well as globally." In addition, HAF, AOL, and the JSMW assisted the Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. in hosting the city's first ever Diwali observance in the Old City Council's Chamber on Thursday, honoring the achievements of the Indian American community in the District. During the Mayor's evening reception, Congressman Bera, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu of the Indian Embassy, and Aditi Hardikar from the White House Office of Public Engagement were joined by community leaders in the ceremonial lighting of the diya. In her keynote address at the event, Shukla described Diwali as a sacred occasion for thousands of Hindu, Jain, and Sikh Americans living in Washington D.C. She noted, "Tonight's celebration is as much a celebration of what the District has done for the South Asian and Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities, as it is a celebration of the contributions of these communities to the District."
I am no 'badass': Canada's Sikh Defense Minister TORONTO: Canada's newlyappointed Sikh Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan has said he is not a "badass" and is quite a softie despite his military background. 45-year-old Sajjan, who immigrated to Canada from India when he was a young boy, said the country must contribute to the defeat of the Islamic State but rejected the idea that Canadians should be afraid of the jihadist organization. "ISIS is a threat, no doubt about that. Should we fear it? No. The Canadian population should have full confidence in all the security services to keep us safe," he told CBC News. Sajjan is a decorated military veteran who served three tours of duty for the Forces in Afghanistan, and one in Bosnia,
and worked as a detective in the Vancouver Police Service. Sajjan leapfrogged his former mentor, retired General Andrew Leslie, to get the nod as Defense Minister in Justin Trudeau's Cabinet. And his appointment to the Cabinet went viral on social media with a picture from his days in Afghanistan tweeted with the line "Canada's new minister of defense is 'badass.'" Asked what he thinks of being dubbed as a "badass", Sajjan said, "I actually chuckled. I was really shocked at the interest in me, because when I got the job I was like, '(This is) a big responsibility, I can't mess this up.'" As Canada's first Sikh in the role, he said "if my position here gives anybody hope of where you might be, and your potential, I'm happy that it does that." -PTI
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Pakistan hands over 2000 acres to China in Gwadar ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Pakistan and China kicked off their ambitious USD 46 billion economic corridor project with Beijing acquiring over 2,000 acres of land in restive Balochistan to develop the strategic Gwadar port, providing the Communist-giant an opening to the Arabian Sea. The two countries have signed a deal to acquire the usage rights to more than 2,000 acres of land for a Chinese company, Chinese official media reported. Asked about the deal between the two close allies at the Gwadar port city, which will get linked to China's Kashgar city in Xinjiang through a network of roads and oil pipelines, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that the port development is a mutually beneficial project. "It is a major project under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, (CPEC). We will continue to uphold the principle of mutual
consultation and mutual benefit and move ahead with the port project," he said. India has objected to the CPEC as it passes through the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). China defends the project saying it is a commercial venture aimed at improving livelihoods of local people. State-run CCTV reported that a delegation led by Wang Xiaotao, Deputy Secretary General of China's National Development and Reform Commission, signed a lease agreement with the Pakistani government. The 43-year lease will see the government of Baluchistan province in southwestern Pakistan provide a 923-hectare swathe of tax-exempt land as part of the CEPC which links western China to the Arabian Sea. The contract will enable stateowned China Overseas Port Holding Co Ltd, to build an international airport, a free trade area, and
Carter urged to end ban on Sikh-Americans WASHINGTON: As many as 27 retired American military leaders have urged Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to end the presumptive ban on Sikh-Americans on joining the armed forces with their religious insignia intact. "We believe that Sikh-Americans should be given an equal opportunity to serve in the US Armed Forces without violating
Ashton Carter
their religious obligations," they said. In a letter to Carter dated November 11, these retired military leaders cites the heroic efforts and valor of the few Sikhs who have joined the US forces in the past few years. Since 2009, the US Army has granted individualized accommodations to three Sikh Americans,
who wear turbans and maintain unshorn hair, including beards, they said. All three of these service members wear turbans and maintain beards in a neat and conservative manner, and all of them can wear helmets and protective gas masks, in conformity with safety requirements. Two of them deployed to Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star Medal and MSM NATO Medal for their service, noted the letter which was released by Congressman Joe Crowley, a top Democratic lawmaker in the US House of Representatives. "The support for allowing Sikh Americans to serve in our military while adhering to their religious beliefs is overwhelming, as most recently evidenced by the letter to Secretary of Defense Carter from a group of prominent retired military leaders," Crowley said. "We are a stronger nation, and a stronger military, because of our rich diversity. Sikh Americans love this country and want a fair chance to serve in our nation s military we should embrace this wish, not place restrictions on it," Crowley said. -PTI
a maritime service company in the port with full authority to handle the port's operations, it said.
Gwadar, on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Pakistan's western province of Balochistan, has strategic importance in terms of its location
Gwadar, on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Pakistan's western province of Balochistan, has strategic importance in terms of its location between South and Central Asia and the Middle East as it is situated at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and close to several important sea routes like the Straits of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the global oil shipments pass. China is expected to invest USD
1.62 billion in the Gwadar project, including construction of an expressway linking the harbor and coastline, a rail link, breakwater and other nine projects expected to be completed in three to five years, state-run China Daily reported. Wang Shida, an expert at the Beijing-based Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said the Port will play an important role in the economic prosperity of both nations.-PTI
Desi News Sling sponsors & brings All-Stars Cricket to US India Post News Service
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.: Cricket icons from around the world faced off on U.S. soil as part of the inaugural "Cricket All-Stars," a three-game series sponsored in part by Sling International. The first match took place November 7 at Citi Field in New York. It was followed by matches on November 11 at Minute Maid Park in Houston and November
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA www.indiapost.com
16 India Post
PG&E readies its winter storm response
Obama & DNC Chair send greetings on Diwali India Post News Service
Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne
14 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Legendary cricket players Sachin Tendulkar of India and Shane Warne of Australia are headlining their respective teams, "Sachin's Blasters" and "Warne's Warriors." The two teams feature former all-star players from eight different countries. Fans attending the Cricket AllStars matches can visit the Sling International booth to learn more about the product and snap a picture in the photo booth. Details on page 18
Details on page 17
November 20, 2015
WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama issued a statement marking the occasion of Diwali, the widely celebrated festival of lights. "Hi, everybody. On behalf of the entire Obama family, I want to wish you and your familiesacross America and around the world-a happy Diwali as you celebrate the festival of lights. Greetings to Hindus, Jains and Sikhs all over." "I've been proud to host Diwali celebrations at the White Houseand be the first President to light the Diya in 2009. When Michelle and I visited India, we were able to join in Diwali festivities with some wonderful children in Mumbai. It was a reminder of the traditions we share, across continents and cultures. "Today, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs
File photo of US President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama lighting the lamp to celebrate Diwali Festival with Holy Name School, in Mumbai on November 7, 2010
and Buddhists - some of the world's oldest religions - light the Diya with family and friends. You celebrate life's blessings - the triumph of knowledge over ignorance
and good over evil. But Diwali is also a time for prayer and contemplation, to reflect on our obligations to help our fellow human beings, particularly the less fortunate.
"So on this Diwali, I wish everyone celebrating the holiday across America and around the world a joyous celebration. Saal Mubarak." DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement: "We are proud to count Democrats among the millions of Americans who celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, over the last few days. The celebration of knowledge over ignorance and good over evil is an opportunity for us to pause for prayer and contemplation, to reflect on our obligations to help our fellow human beings, and in particular the less fortunate. Those are values that we hold dear as a party, and that are at the heart of the policies for which we stand. On behalf of the Democratic National Committee, Saal Mubarak!"
Hari Om Mandir hosts grand Annual Fundraiser
Budget deal wreaks havoc on efficient governance LEE H. HAMILTON
Y
ou can understand why Presi dent Obama and congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle sought to cast their end-ofOctober budget deal in the best possible light. They avoided a potentially catastrophic national default. They reduced the possibility of a government shutdown. And they raised the debt ceiling until March, 2017, taking that bargaining chip off the table until the next president is in the White House. Still, for all their hard work, our political leaders indulged in two bad habits that they really need to kick, because they wreak havoc with effective and efficient government and cost taxpayers a pile of money. Details on page 17
Hari Om Mandir Board of Trustees, Executive Board and invited guest at 28th Annual Fundraising Dinner Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: Hari Om Mandir held its 28th Annual Fundraising Dinner at the newly constructed Pearl Banquet Hall on Saturday, November 7. It was attended by
more than 200 members and guests. The program began with a puja performed by the Mandir's Pandit Dinesh Kumar and the Mandir Board members. The Board led by Ayodhia Salwan, Anil Saxena, vice
president, welcomed the guests and donors. Executive Board President Indrajit Sarkar also addressed the audience. The MCs of the evening, Mrs. Shalini Saxena and Gaurav Arora did a magnificent job of entertaining the
crowd. The entertainment for the evening began with M Shailendar and Mrs. Bhavna singing a combination of old and new songs throughout the evening. Cont’d on page 17
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PG&E readies its winter storm response India Post News Service
SAN FRANCISCO, CA: With weather forecasts indicating the intensity of El Niño-driven storms will be strong this winter in California, PG&E has been getting ready - for the past 18 years.
natural disasters; using advanced meteorology tools to forecast where storm impacts will be most significant; and adding innovative technology to its electrical grid. New technology includes the use of storm outage prediction models, the installation of auto-
SmartMeters play an important role in PG&E's response to power outages. The utility receives SmartMeter data within seconds of an outage to help system operators quickly determine the scope and level of response needed. They also help identify the location The last major El Niño storm season in 1997-1998 dumped twice the normal rainfall on San Francisco, created widespread flooding and caused power outages impacting more than a million customers. PG&E has been preparing for storms like those by practicing for extreme-weather events and
mated equipment that "self-heals" the electric grid as well as timely and accurate outage data from its network of more than 5 million electric SmartMeters™. In addition, the increasingly smart grid means outages can be detected almost instantaneously and restoration, in many cases, can be done auto-
matically. "A combination of preparedness, practice and technology has PG&E ready to respond to winter storms. We put our focus on public safety and on efficiently responding to customer outages," said Barry Anderson, PG&E's vice president of Emergency Preparedness and Operations. "With these advanced forecasting and outage-prediction tools, we can work with our electric crews to make sure we have the right numbers of people, vehicles and equipment in the right place at the right time as storms hit," said Mike Voss, PG&E's principal meteorologist. These advances include: • Emergency Preparation: PG&E now has an entire department, led by Anderson, dedicated to preparing and responding to emergencies and natural disasters. Through repeated exercises and thorough self-reviews that seek constant improvement, the
Budget deal wreaks havoc on efficient governance
Y
ou can understand why President Obama and congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle sought to cast their end-of-October budget deal in the best possible light. They avoided a potentially catastrophic national default. They reduced the possibility of a government shutdown. And they raised the debt ceiling until March, 2017, taking that bargaining chip off the table until the next president is in the White House. Still, for all their hard work, our political leaders indulged in two bad habits that they really need to kick, because they wreak havoc with effective and efficient government and cost taxpayers a pile of money. First, while they gave themselves some breathing room before the next time the debt ceiling has to be raised, they will nonetheless have to raise the debt ceiling eventually. They should have abolished it, or at least suspended it. The debt ceiling has become a political pawn, used repeatedly as leverage by opposition parties to make demands of the President. It has driven the persistent national game of "chicken" that has so tarnished
LEE H. HAMILTON
Congress's image in recent decades. The legislative maneuvering surrounding each debt ceiling bill consumes huge amounts of legislative time that is better spent on other matters. The second bad habit is equally pernicious: the budget deal did little to shift Congress from its re-
Lee Hamilton
liance on continuing resolutions. The CR, as it's known, was designed to keep government operating for a few days or weeks while congressional negotiators worked out the budget. In recent decades, though, it has become the way we fund the government.
Continuing resolutions bypass the appropriations bills written by specialized committees and provide a favored few interests a bonanza. They also keep the federal government and hence state and local agencies that rely on federal commitments - in "handcuffs," as a recent article in Politico put it. The CR puts the government on automatic pilot, avoids hundreds of difficult funding and policy decisions, and has become a substitute for working hard to pass a budget by the regular process. It lacks transparency, sidesteps good budgeting, puts all the power in the hands of a few congressional leaders, and invites Congress to act in a crisis mode. Do you want the Congress to work better? If so, ask your favorite member to think big and not lock into a failing system. A good start would be to kick these two bad habits. Lee Hamilton is a Distinguished Scholar, Indiana University School of Global and International Studies; and a Professor of Practice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
company's Emergency Preparedness and Operations team helps coordinate all-hands-on-deck responses to events such as the 2014 Napa earthquake and the 2015 September wildfires, including
working closely with first-responders. • Advanced Meteorology: New technology and storm outage prediction modeling is helping PG&E pinpoint where problems might
occur as storms arrive and progress through PG&E's service area. • SmartMeters™: SmartMeters play an important role in PG&E's response to power outages. The utility receives SmartMeter data within seconds of an outage to help system operators quickly determine the scope and level of response needed. They also help identify the location of an outage to reduce the amount of time it takes for restoration crews to arrive on scene. • Smart Grid: PG&E has installed advanced automated technology on power lines throughout its service area. This technology can automatically "self-heal" the grid by re-routing the flow of electricity around a damaged power line and effectively restoring power to the majority of impacted customers within minutes. Cont’d on page 18
Hari Om Mandir hosts grand Annual Fundraiser Cont’d from page 16
The audience was also treated to the melodious singing of Ms. Natasha Trikha, category winner of Chicago Indian Icon. The evening continued with song, dance, and scrumptious food. Recognition Awards were given to Satish Chander and his
statues of all major North Indian Gods & Goddesses. Every Sunday there is a Havan and general congregation followed by Aarti and Bhojan Prasad. On every first Saturday of the month there is Devi Jagran from 7-10pm. Every Monday there is Shiv Puja and every Tuesday Hanuman Challisa Path. There are two learned
Ladies had a good time at the fundraising event
wife Mira Chander and Mrs. Raj Rawal and her late husband Darshan Rawal. Fabulous raffle prizes, including a HD TV, electronic fireplace, and restaurant gift certificates were awarded to the lucky individuals. Door prizes were also given to all the young children and kids that were present. Hari Om Mandir is located at DuPage County in the heart of Chicago land. The Mandir has
priests available in the temple, for Pujas, Havan, and Kathas in the temple and at home. Mandir Executive Board: Indrajit Sarkar, President; Anil Saxena, Vice President; Anita Rawal, Secretary; Gopal Tiwari, Treasurer; Aarty Singla, Special Events; Sham Taxali, Inside Property Management; Ramesh Bhardwaj, Outside Property Management; Ashok Sharma, Publication; Usha Verma, Food & Prasad.
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Sling sponsors & brings All-Stars Cricket to US ENGLEWOOD, Colo.: Cricket icons from around the world faced off on U.S. soil as part of the inaugural "Cricket All-Stars," a three-game series sponsored in part by Sling International. The first match took place November 7 at Citi Field in New York. It was followed by
Australia are headlining their respective teams, "Sachin's Blasters" and "Warne's Warriors." The two teams feature former allstar players from eight different countries. Fans attending the Cricket All-Stars matches can visit the Sling International booth to learn more about the product and snap a picture in the photo booth. "Our goal is to bring the excitement of
matches on November 11 at Minute Maid Park in Houston and November 14 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Legendary cricket players Sachin Tendulkar of India and Shane Warne of
cricket to fans living in the U.S., and we wanted to show our support for this rare opportunity to see some of the game's greatest players live and in-person," said Chris Kuelling, senior vice president of Interna-
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tional Programming for Sling TV. "Not only is the Cricket All-Stars series a must-see event for lifelong cricket fans, it's an opportunity to engage a whole new audience who may never before have experienced the game." Sling International's sponsorship of the Cricket All-Stars stems from the brand's support of the game and commitment to entertainment that connects viewers with their culture. A leading provider of global content to viewers in the U.S., Sling International delivers over 200 international channels including many top rated South Asian channels such as Willow Cricket, Sony, Aapka Colors, ZeeTV, Star Plus, Aaj Tak, TV Asia, ARY Digital, Geo TV, Maa TV, Sun TV and ETV. Customers of Sling TV who have the "Best of Live TV" package can watched the Cricket All-Stars matches on ESPN3 for no extra cost by entering their Sling TV username and password on WatchESPN.com or within the WatchESPN app. Sling customers who wish to subscribe to "Best of Live TV" and receive access to ESPN3 can do so by logging into their account at www.sling.com and adding the "Best of Live TV" package. For more information regarding the Cricket All-Stars series please visit www.cricketallstars2015.com. About Sling TV
Sling TV L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), provides over-the-top television services including domestic and international live and Video-On-Demand programming. It is available on televisions, tablets, computers and smartphones. The Sling TV programming portfolio includes content from Disney/ESPN, HBO, AMC, A&E, Turner, Scripps, EPIX, Univision and Maker Studios. Sling Latino offers a suite of standalone and add-onSpanish-language programming packages tailored to English-dominant, bilingual and Spanish-dominant U.S. Hispanics. Sling International currently provides more than 200 channels in 18 lan-
guages across multiple devices to U.S. households. Sling TV is a next-generation service that meets the entertainment needs of today's contemporary viewers. Visit www.Sling.com. Follow @Sling on Twitter: http:// www.twitter.com/Sling #TakeBackTV
PG&E readies its winter storm response Cont’d from page 17
These systems have been installed on nearly 20 percent of PG&E's electrical distribution circuits and have helped the company avoid almost 89 million customer outage minutes since the program began in 2012. • ew Distribution Control Centers: Two new state-of-the-art electric distribution control centers help manage PG&E's more than 140,000 circuit miles of distribution lines throughout Northern and Central California. These facilities are the nerve centers of the grid that delivers energy to individual homes and businesses. They are equipped with systems that support not only today's current smart grid technology, but will also support future upgrades as well. The centers in Fresno and Concord will be joined by a third facility in Rocklin early in 2016. PG&E's winter storm preparations are not limited to its electric operations. In advance of winter storm season, PG&E customers can call to get one of the company's Gas Service Representatives (GSRs) to do pilot relights and gas-appliance safety checks. Call 1-800-743-5000 to schedule an appointment.
PG&E's Gas operations also has been preparing in advance and taking measures to prevent the potential impact of flooding, erosion and landslides exacerbated by El Niño-driven storms. And at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County, the facility's severe-weather plan includes preparations for floods, mud slides and if roads become impassable. And just as the company prepares for emergencies, PG&E also urges its customers to be ready for natural disasters. That includes creating a family emergency plan and creating emergency kits for your home, your office and your vehicle. PG&E offers emergency-preparation tips on its website. The ready.gov website offers additional preparedness tips. About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California.
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Oxigen brings cricket legends to America India Post News Service
O
nce again proving its commitment to the cause of sports, Oxigen Wallet has announced its sponsorship for the Cricket All-Star T20 series. The series, held in some of the most well-known baseball stadiums in the US, saw cricket legends take field once more, to present an awe-inspiring spectacle for their fans across the globe. The glamorous three match series kicked-off from November 7 with Citi field in New York hosting the first match. The second T20 was played at Minute Maid Park in Houston on 11 November. The Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles was selected as the venue for the third and final T20 of the All-star series on 14 November. The Allstar T20 series is a joint initiative by two legends of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. The sponsorship is also in correspondence to the recent signing up of Sachin Tendulkar as the brand ambassador of Oxigen Wallet. Oxigen has recently extended its platform to the US market, enabling the Indian Diaspora to "Send Happiness® " to loved ones back home. Oxigen.com brings to the US market a new way of transferring value to India that is far more efficient and hassle-
free. Non Resident Indians can transfer money, instantly pay bills, and send gifts for to their loved ones- family and friends in India. Oxigen Services India Private Limited is leveraging the Cricket All Stars T 20 platform to reach out to the Indian Diaspora and build the USA brand for its part-
Warriors at the Meet & Greet events as well as the social gala's. All they need to do is join Oxigen's Inner Circle on www.oxigenusa.com and Send Happiness to their Indian families in India. "Considering our recent sport associations, the campaign
‘We at Oxigen are very excited to partner with All Stars. This is a "first" for Oxigen, where we have our Brand placed on both teams, thus promoting camaraderie, which is the essence of our association’ ner company, Oxigen.com or Oxigenusa.com which is based out of Boston, USA. Elaborating on the sponsorship, Meher Sarid, President, Corporate Affairs, Oxigen, commented," We at Oxigen are very excited to partner with All Stars. This is a "first" for Oxigen, where we have our Brand placed on both teams, thus promoting camaraderie, which is the essence of our association , both as a sponsor to the teams , and is the basis to our business in USA. We wish to win the hearts of Indians who reside in America, by giving them a unique opportunity to meet Sachin's Blasters and Warne's
#Playthehost, for the South African T20 cricket team, our tie up with Kerala Blasters Football Club and having the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar as our brand ambassador, the patronage with Cricket ALL STAR is definitely the
next step forward in our long-term global vision," added Meher Sarid." Oxigen USA's Chief Happiness Officer Amir Alexander Hasson said, "As the Diwali gifting season approaches and Oxigen Brand Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar has come to the US for the All Star Cricket Series, it's hard to think of a better time to launch Oxigen's US money transfer service to India". Ben Sturner, CEO of Cricketwood LLC stated, "We are happy to have Oxigen on board as Sponsor for the exciting and extraordinary All Star Series. Sachin Tendulkar, brand ambassador to Oxigen, introduced us and we can see a lasting partnership with them. As a company, that wishes to place its brand globally, I feel they have made the right choices of brand placement to match their target audience."
The series has managed to garner the attention of some of the best retired names in the game. The list of players comprises renowned names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, AJit Agarkar and Sameer Dighe from India; Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Mathew Hayden and Glen McGrath from Australia; Shaun Pollock, Alan Donald, Lance Klusener, Jaques Kallis, and Jonty Rhodes from South Africa; Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose from West Indies; Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq and Moin Khan from Pakistan; Muttiah Muaralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara from Sri Lanka; Graeme Swann and Michael Vaughan from England and Daniel Vettori from New Zealand.
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Madhesi protests aggravate instability in Nepal
O
n November 2, an Indian national was killed and 40 others, including 32 United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) cadres and eight Policemen, were injured when Nepal Police opened fire to forcefully evacuate UDMF cadres who were agitating at the Miteri Bridge in the Birgunj town of Parsa District in Nepal. The incident occurred in the area along the Birgunj-Raxaul (a town in East Champaran District of the Indian state of Bihar) border. Witnesses claim the deceased, Ashish Kumar Ram aka Sonu Ram (24), was killed very close to the border on the Nepal side while he was going to Birgunj town on a personal visit. On November 3, three UDMF cadres were injured as they clashed with the Police on the premises of Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital in Birgunj town of Parsa District. Again, on November 4, 12 UDMF cadres were injured in Birgunj as they clashed with Police at different location in the town. The clashes between Nepal Police and people agitating to build pressure on the Nepalese Government to meet their demands for amending the new Constitution have been going on since September 20. According to partial data compiled by the Institute for Conflict Management, at least 22 such incidents have been recorded from across the country, though they are mainly confined to Terai region. The Terai region is an area located along Nepal's Southern border with India, and covers 23 per cent of Nepal's total land area of 147,181 square kilometers. Approximately 30 to 40 per cent of the population falls within this region. Out of the country's 75 Districts, 20 are located in the Terai, including, from east to west, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kalaiya and Kanchanpur. At least two civilians have been killed in these incidents and another 148, including 140 civilians and eight Security Force (SF)
S. BINODKUMAR SINGH
personnel, have been injured (data till November 8, 2015). This cycle of political violence began on July 1, 2015, when UDMF cadres burnt cop-
provinces. On September 16, 2015, the CA endorsed "Nepal's Constitution" by an overwhelming 88.5 per cent of the 601-member CA, and by over 95 per cent of the Mem-
Ethnic Madhesi protesters throw stones and bricks at Nepalese policemen in Birgunj, a town on the border with India, Nepal on November 2
ies of the preliminary draft of the Constitution in Kathmandu, the Capital city, because it failed to incorporate their demands. At least 46 people including 27 civilians and 19 SF personnel have been killed and another 340 persons, including 273 civilians and 67 SF personnel, have since been injured in violent protests across the region. 17 months after the second Constituent Assembly (CA) election, the preliminary draft of the new Constitution was tabled in the CA on June 30, 2015, paving the way for its promulgation. On August 9, 2015, Nepal's four major parties - Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) and Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D) - after the meeting of Constitutional Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (CPDCC) of the CA reached a landmark deal to divide the country into six
bers present and voting. On September 20, in a historical step, Nepal adopted its first democratic Constitution. While the adoption of the new Constitution was welcomed by most national and international groups and leaders, a large segment of the population, particularly the Madhesis and Tharus, residing in the Terai region contested the new Constitution on the grounds that:
• The six province model would perpetuate existing fault-lines that marginalize the Madhesis and other minority communities. • Ethnic communities were aggrieved that, under the new Constitution, a smaller percentage of lawmakers will now be elected by proportional representation - 45 per cent, as compared to 58 per cent under the Interim Constitution. " Some ethnic communities are also unhappy at the proposed boundaries of the new provinces, although these are subject to future amendment. In western Terai, the indigenous Tharus are chafing at the prospect of being split in two and forced to share their provinces with the Hill Districts that have historically dominated the country's politics. • Another controversy relates to the provision in the new Constitution that, if a Nepali woman marries a foreigner their children cannot assume Nepali citizenship unless the man first does so; however, if the father is Nepali, his children would be Nepali regardless of the wife's nationality. The Madhesi communities, ethnically and socially close to Indians just across the border, say the new citizenship measures will disproportionately affect them because there are many cross-border marriages. Further, on October 27, 2015, the Federal Madhesi Front (FMF), comprising of the Lok Dal, Bahujan Samaj Party Nepal, Nepal Samajbadi Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party and Loktantrik Party Nepal, presented a 102 point Constitutional amendment proposal
" Some ethnic communities are also unhappy at the proposed boundaries of the new provinces, although these are subject to future amendment. In western Terai, the indigenous Tharus are chafing at the prospect of being split in two and forced to share their provinces with the Hill Districts that have historically dominated the country's politics.”
New Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari (3rd L), former President Ram Baran Yadav (3rd R, front), Chief Justic Kalyan Shrestha (1st L), Vice President Paramananda Jha (2nd L), Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli(2nd R) and Speaker of Nepal's Parliament Onsari Gharti Magar (1st R) attend a farewell ceremony for Ram Baran Yadav in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 29
to the Government. Among other issues, the Front had sought amendment in the Constitution to include Hindi and English as administrative languages, use 'Madhes' in the national anthem, elect the Prime Minister on a rotation basis and review the federal provinces. The Front also demanded the declaration of those who died during the Terai agitation as martyrs and the provision of financial compensation to their families, as well as provision of medical treatment to those who sustained injuries during demonstrations, and the release of cadres arrested in the course of protests. India has been prominent among the few countries that have been demanding that the Nepal Government revaluate its decision and attempt to address the grievances of the Terai population. Cont’ d on page 21
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Madhesi protests aggravate instability in Nepal Cont’ d from page 20
Urging Nepal's leadership to amend sections of the country's new Constitution, India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, during a meeting with Nepal's
dian) Government. It happened earlier also and then Government had to lift the blockade. Why they did not do it, they would know. But this is wrong conclusion of Indian Government. When India did not wel-
Trucks blocked by protest
Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa in New Delhi, on October 18, 2015, conveyed a message stressing the need for "broad-based ownership" of the Constitution. Indeed, even as Madhesi protests and violence mounted in August 2015, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ignoring the tremendous efforts that had been exerted over long years to secure some measure of consensus in an extraordinarily fractious polity, had proclaimed, "Five to ten people cannot sit in a room and write the Constitution. All parties and forces should sit together. There must be greater dialogue." India's gratuitous interference in the Nepalese Constitution writing process, on many assessments driven by the imperatives of the electoral calculus in the Indian State of Bihar, has alienated the establishment in Kathmandu, despite the enormous goodwill generated over the past years, and particularly with the extraordinary aid India provided during the national crisis
come (the Constitution), some Madhesi morcha parties - who were protesting earlier - announced that they will enforce a blockade on the border. And in this the Indian Government has provided full cooperation. This has been done to support the Madhesi parties." Further, accusing India of deliberately imposing a trade embargo, Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stated, on November 6, 2015, "Foodstuff and protection come into priority under the humanitarian aspect even during a war. Neighboring country has further troubled our country by blocking checkpoints while it is still paralyzed by the April 25 devastating earthquake. This is objectionable." Indeed, expressing concern over the economic impact of the continuing blockade and protests, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in a statement on October 5, 2015, noted that the economy had sus-
India's gratuitous interference in the Nepalese Constitution writing process, on many assessments driven by the imperatives of the electoral calculus in the Indian State of Bihar, has alienated the establishment in Kathmandu, despite the enormous goodwill generated over the past years generated by the devastating earthquake of April 2015. Accusing India of supporting the blockade by Madhesi parties, Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bamdev Gautam declared, on September 30, 2015, "Seventy per cent of Nepal's trade is with India and if India imposes a blockade like this, people whose products are not exported will rise in protest against the (In-
tained losses in the amount of NR 100 billion due to the continuing disruption. Similarly, Bikash Bista, Director General of Nepal's Central Bureau of Statistics, on October 30, 2015, estimated that the effect of the blockade was at least close to the economic impact of the April 2015 earthquake and, indeed, was more pervasive and lasting as, unlike the earthquake, the unrest and blockade have hit productive sec-
tors. Damage from the quake was assessed at NR 700 billion under the Post Disaster Needs Assessment. India has, of course, rejected the allegations of a state backed blockade, even as statements in support of Constitutional amendments for a more 'inclusive' order continue to emanate from high offices. India's Ministry of External Affairs' spokesperson Vikas Swarup on October 1, 2015, argued, "We can only take goods up to the border and beyond the border it is the responsibility of the Nepalese side to ensure that there is adequate safety and security for the trucks to enter that side." At the height of the blockade, on October 7, 2015, over 5,000 trucks were struck at Indian border points waiting to cross over into Nepal. Referring to the protests by the Madhesi people, Indian ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae on November 1, 2015, observed, "The promulgation of the new Constitution in Nepal after an exercise of 60-70 years was a big achievement for Nepal and India does not prescribe any model. The only concern for India is that the Constitution should be acceptable to all sections and it should not bring instability and threaten peace. India's only concern is that there should be peace, stability and pros-
made no headway, but a fifth round held on November 1, saw some positive signs, with the Government and the agitating UDMF agreeing to settle the issue of provincial delineation through broader consensus between the ruling coalition, agitating parties and the opposition, including the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC). However, as Police forcefully evacuated protesters at Birgunj town on November 2, the environment for talks was ruined. By most assessments, the current protests and blockade are led by discredited forces within the Madhesi parties. However, 58 members of the CA from Teraibased parties refused to endorse the new Constitution on September 16, 2015. Subsequently, one of the agitating parties, the MPRF-D, with 14 CA members, joined the Government on October 11, 2015, after the party signed an eight-point deal with the dominant political formations in the ruling Coalition, the CPN-UML and the UCPN-M to address the demands of TeraiMadhes groups, and agreeing to amend the Constitution to ensure proportional representation in political appointments and public services, as well as to delimit electoral constituencies on the basis of population after ensuring a constituency for each District. Thereafter, on October
"The promulgation of the new Constitution in Nepal after an exercise of 60-70 years was a big achievement for Nepal and India does not prescribe any model. The only concern for India is that the Constitution should be acceptable to all sections and it should not bring instability and threaten peace. perity in Nepal after the promulgation of the Constitution as violence and instability in Nepal will also have similar impact on India as well." The present protests in the Terai region have aggravated instability in the Himalayan nation. As critical supplies from India were choked off by the blockade, Nepal turned to China and signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National United Oil Corporation on October 28, 2015. Since then, 71 tankers filled with petroleum products have been brought to Nepal from China till November 8, 2015. Before this, Nepal had relied exclusively on India for its energy needs. India usually sends Nepal about 100,000 tons of fuel every month, including diesel, kerosene and LPG. In 2014, Nepal imported about 1.37 billion liters (360 million gallons) of fuel from Indian Oil Corporation at a cost of USD1.05 billion. There is little indication of matters settling in the near future. The agitating UDMF has, thus far, held five rounds of talks with the Government Talk's Team. In the first four rounds, held on October 20, October 21, October 25 and October 29,
11, 2015, MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, who was once a strong voice against the Government, joined the Government. Gachhadar is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport in the current Government led by CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. There are certainly shortcomings in the new Nepali Constitution - as in any other Constitution across the world - and that is what processes of amendment are for. The dominant Madhesi parties in the CA put their signatures on this document in full awareness of its remaining limitations, and with assurances from the majority parties that their concerns, particularly regarding provincial delimitation, would be addressed through the amendment process. The disruptive protests by marginalized Madhesi formations, at least in part encouraged by Indian state actors, have been unfortunate, and have caused enormous loss and distress within Nepal. India's role in these disorders - real and perceived - can only undermine New Delhi's already limited influence within the region. The writer is Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management
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Fitting modern science into the Vedic framework RAJIV MALHOTRA
A
common desire among Hin- ditioning, it is only available to the level of dus today is to see their Vedic consciousness I have called the 'rishi state' tradition through the lens of in my book, Being Different. This is a state modern science. There are potentially available to every human being, good reasons for doing this. and the various paths to achieving this are After all, modern science has accomplished available in the Vedic system of knowledge and practices. so much and given us Everything that humany gifts, thus attainmans in the ordinary ing the status of being state develop, interpret the gold standard of and transmit is conditruth. Therefore, actioned by the filters procording to most pergrammed into our sons, the legitimacy minds; and hence it is and worthiness of any smriti. Science is the body of knowledge understanding of reality should be determined based on human senses by the extent to which and reasoning, and it is in conformity with hence is limited by modern science. these. I support this aspiAll accounts of hisration, but with some tory are smriti. All politiimportant caveats and cal ideologies, includqualifiers. UnfortuRajiv Malhotra ing the constitutions of nately, I do not see nations and the various most scholars of what is being called 'Vedic science' appreciating laws of society are human constructions. these qualifiers. Hence, I wish to first ex- All conceptual categories, vyavaharika plain some characteristics of Vedic knowl- (worldly) knowledge and experience are filedge, and then discuss the issue of how tered through human conditioning. Every
this knowledge relates to modern science. Let me start with what I do not wish for: I do not wish to have Vedic knowledge become digested into modern science. On the other hand, I actually want that the process be the opposite: I wish to fit modern science into the Vedic framework. Vedic knowledge has two broad aspects: shruti and smriti. Shruti is that which is eternal, with no beginning or end. It is the absolute truth unfiltered by the human mind or context. Smriti, on the other hand, is knowledge as cognized by human conditioning. All modern science is smriti. This is the key insight I wish to offer and elaborate upon. Once we understand this and figure out its implications, we can easily see how modern science fits into the Vedic framework as a new type of smriti. Because shruti transcends human con-
kind of knowledge being taught in the modern education system is limited to smriti because it consists of works produced by the human mind. The relationship between shruti and smriti is very important to understand. These are not two disconnected realms. One can lead to the other: each path to attain the rishi state starts out in the vyavaharika realm, and each such path is based on smriti knowledge. Most forms of sadhana or spiritual practice we do are based on some smriti, and these have the potential to eventually lead us to the rishi state. Many texts used for yoga, bhakti, jnana and various other process are smritis. This is the relationship between absolute and relative knowledge, or between the transcendent and worldly realms. Each epoch of history and every level of
human consciousness had its own context in which knowledge has been generated and made available to us. Hence, we can think of shastra, itihasa and purana each as a certain genre or type of knowledge. Each is a smriti serving the purpose of informing certain kinds of minds, in ways suitable for such minds. Each genre of smriti is an approximation of shruti. As humans advance, they develop new needs and build new capabilities to fill those needs. Hence, new genres of smriti are always emerging as a result of human creativity.
and a digestion of shruti. The scientific framework is not rich and open enough to allow possibilities that are critical for the integrity of shruti. The reason for this problem is that modern science did not evolve as a smriti within the Vedic system. Our challenge now is to map modern science into the Vedic structures so as to turn it into a smriti that would be compatible with shruti. This way, science would benefit from the Vedic vocabulary and framework; this would facilitate the further development of science.
Given this powerful new smriti called modern science, it might seem as if we can side line shruti. Alternatively, a naĂŻve person might see it as desirable to map shruti knowledge onto modern science's frameworks. I call this the bad habit of digesting one civilization into another. The problem is that modern science functions in terms of reference that block shruti altogether. Seen in this way, modern science is a special type of smriti developed for the logical mind, which is a mind that seeks truth by the criteria of such truth being reproducible and verifiable by anyone. This modern scientific truth has achieved great success in solving many kinds of practical problems. Instruments have been developed to measure and hence verify (or refute) empirical claims to ever finer levels of detail. Better measurements lead to more refined theoretical models, which in turn lead to better technologies. This is a cycle that feeds itself. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest achievements of humankind. Western civilization deserves credit for its successful pursuit of modern science. Given this powerful new smriti called modern science, it might seem as if we can side line shruti. Alternatively, a naĂŻve person might see it as desirable to map shruti knowledge onto modern science's frameworks. I call this the bad habit of digesting one civilization into another. The problem
For instance, the Vedic notion of shakti as 'intelligent energy' cannot be replaced by separate energy and intelligence being combined into a synthetic unity. Shakti is not two separate entities seen as one, but a single unified intelligence-energy entity. Also, shakti is not constrained by localization in the sense of classical science. Indeed, there is no substitute for shakti in modern science. It is a non-translatable. It includes multiple discoveries of modern science, such as: non-local causation; energy-matter equivalence; potential states of matter as a system of intelligence, etc. Yet, all these disparate modern 'discoveries' do not add up to shakti, for it is more than the sum of its parts. It is a blunder when Vedic scientists translate shakti into reductionist categories like 'energy', etc. Similarly, the nature of time is very different in the Vedic framework than the notion of time in modern science. The principle of karma is a theory of delayed causation: Unlike physics where causation is only
Indeed, there is no substitute for shakti in modern science. It is a non-translatable. It includes multiple discoveries of modern science, such as: non-local causation; energy-matter equivalence; potential states of matter as a system of intelligence, etc. Yet, all these disparate modern 'discoveries' do not add up to shakti, for it is more than the sum of its parts. is that modern science functions in terms of reference that block shruti altogether. The Vedic framework has both shruti and many kinds of smritis in a coherent and organically unified system. However, trying to make shruti fit into the system of modern science is an unfortunate act of distortion
immediate and empirically traced back to the cause, in karma an action can have both immediate and delayed consequences, including consequences that are not empirically traceable to the cause. Cont’ d on page 23
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Fitting modern science into the Vedic framework Cont’ d from page 22
So karma theory would see physics as a subset, because it deals with immediate empirical effects only. In karma theory, the delayed portion of one's actions are stored in potential form as a subtle form of causation memory (i.e. sanskaras) whose fruits emerge at a later time in some form. Vedic scientists should stop the habit of mapping Vedic categories on to similar sounding modern scientific ones, because in doing so they are destroying humankind's collective knowledge and blocking potential advancements. What Vedic scientists
Whatever is non-translatable is also non-digestible. As long as we retain our framework and its categories, and utilize them actively in futuristic research, we will be able to protect the integrity of our tradition. This should be the basis for our identity; it is priceless. The key research project for us is to identify principles and practices of Vedic knowledge that can be shown to be distinct from the conventional science of a given epoch. It has been shown that the mathematical idea of infinitesimal and infinite series was incompatible with Christianity's worldview and was imported from India to Europe, lead-
The key research project for us is to identify principles and practices of Vedic knowledge that can be shown to be distinct from the conventional science of a given epoch. It has been shown that the mathematical idea of infinitesimal and infinite series was incompatible with Christianity's worldview and was imported from India to Europe, leading to the 'discoveries' by Descartes, Newton and others. must do, instead, is to map modern science into Vedic categories, and investigate with open minds the feasibility of various such mappings. This includes both empirical testing and theoretical debates. Do not translate akasha as space or ether. Rather, space/ether type of entities could be seen as a small subset of akasha. Fire is a subset of agni and its many forms. The fashionable term 'energy healing' (itself largely based on appropriating Vedic ideas) is a subset of the vast terrain we know as pranic healing. The list is endless. There is another problem with rash translations of Vedic terms into modern science. Because science is smriti, it is in flux and will always be superseded by superior models as humans advance their vyavaharika knowledge. When that happens, the Vedic mappings to science will make the Vedic framework seem obsolete as well. For instance, Indians mapped akasha as 'ether' in the late 1800s, in order to make Vedic knowledge look 'scientific'. A few decades later, physi-
years, Templeton learned about it and came with much larger funding offers to take over the project. The direction was changed and it switched over to becoming another one of its digestion projects. They recruited many Hindu thinkers, including some prominent ones that Infinity Foundation had nurtured for several years. The above is only one of several examples where our intellectuals have been co-opted by those who want to impose their worldview; a worldview which is usually based on the western Judeo-Christian framework and propped up as the Universal. My point is that our intellectuals have lacked the vision to pursue research that would be in our best interests, and have aligned themselves with those trying to digest our heritage. To sum up, I wish to leave the reader with the following key points: Modern science should be seen by us as a new kind of smriti, one that has a very useful purpose. Unfortunately, this new smriti has been built on a framework and vocabulary that is
does not include such higher states. The Abrahamic religions have also never had an adequate framework for science. On the contrary, being history-centric has made them persecute free thinking. Hence, they cannot even allow new smritis based on new contexts and new human experiences. Templeton Foundation has been pioneering on behalf of Judeo-Christianity to bridge the separate worlds of science and religion. It hijacked the project started by Infinity Foundation at the University of California started in the 1990s. This project was bringing into the academic world the dharma-based metaphysics of science and spirituality (vyavaharika and parmarthika, respectively). After Infinity Foundation had funded and provided intellectual inputs to this program for three
disconnected from the Vedic one, and hence it would be a good idea to express modern science in Vedic terms. This would allow us to develop modern science further because of the broader framework offered by the Vedas. Abrahamic religions are a form of smriti also, but very limited and primitive, because they do not believe in the human potential I have called the rishi state. This makes these religions historically frozen and dogmatic, vulnerable to violence. A serious blunder that is going on is the fashion to map shruti on to modern science (and even to Abrahamic religions). This must stop, and be reversed: We must do purva-paksha of modern science and the Abrahamic religions using our frameworks instead.
ing to the 'discoveries' by Descartes, Newton and others. Many Ayurveda principles are simply alien to Christianity as well as modern medical science because Ayurveda uses notions of physiology that Western medicine lacks. Hence, certain Indian diets that are becoming trendy in the West for medical benefits have been validated empirically by modern medicine, but the science behind these is still new in the West and is disconnected with core Western assumptions about the nature of the human being. Vedic principles of the environment are rapidly being assimilated for the sake of modern ecology; but the framework on which they are based is being separated out, the 'useful elements' isolated and grafted on to Western frameworks. As a result, the environment is now being protected more for the sake of 'natural resource management' than as a stakeholder in its own right. The single most promising area of Vedic knowledge for the future is in the vast realm of the mind sciences. This has been an on-
Vedic principles of the environment are rapidly being assimilated for the sake of modern ecology; but the framework on which they are based is being separated out, the 'useful elements' isolated and grafted on to Western frameworks. As a result, the environment is now being protected more for the sake of 'natural resource management' than as a stakeholder in its own right. cists rejected the concept of ether. What did that do to the category of akasha? It became embarrassing as something that 'science had proven to be false'. So it is better to let akasha remain akasha and resist the craving to impress modern scientists.
and digest Vedic knowledge. Many Vedic scientists, gurus and political leaders have foolishly been serving such enterprises, in the name of 'becoming global'. The Abrahamic religions are disconnected from both shruti and modern science. They do not allow the notion of the rishi state as a human potential. Therefore, what we call shruti is simply unavailable in their system. Humans, according to them, are inherently limited only to the smriti level of knowledge. To transcend this human limit of conditioning and context (i.e. to go beyond the smriti level), one has to receive messages from God sent through prophets. This is the only way by which humans can hope to know the higher truth that cannot be directly cognized by our limited minds. As a result of this, the history and texts of the lineage is all we have to know the higher truth. This is why the Abrahamic religions are stuck in past history and fight to death over minute details of that history. There are no rishis available to them to rediscover the higher truth, because the human potential
going research topic for me and one in which I intend to write extensively. While most of the Vedic scientists have been negligent in doing purva-paksha to understand the digestion under way, the Western scientists have been frantically busy in their mining expedition to extract
Tech News Brewer AB InBev swallows rival SABMiller LONDON: The world's top brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev has clinched a gigantic formal USD 121-billion deal for its nearest rival SABMiller, in the third biggest takeover in global corporate history. The blockbuster transaction, worth the equivalent of 112 billion euros including debt, will bring together InBev's top lagers like Beck's, Budweiser and Stella Artois, with SABMiller brands Foster's, Grolsch and Peroni. Belgian-Brazilian behemoth InBev is eager to tap into booming developing markets in Africa and China, where SABMiller's joint venture produces Snow - the world's best selling beer by volume. InBev will pay 44 pounds per share in cash for SABMiller, which has also agreed to sell its 58-per cent stake in US unit MillerCoors for USD 12 billion to Molson Coors to help win regulatory approval, it said in a joint statement. "The boards of AnheuserBusch InBev and SABMiller are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of SABMiller by AB InBev," the pair said.-PTI
India boosts air connectivity with Gulf, Africa NEW DELHI: Government has announced increase in weekly seat entitlements on flights to Oman, Kenya and Ethiopia besides measures to boost air services with Scandinavian countries, including Sweden and Denmark. The decision to enhance seat entitlements and air connectivity with multiple countries comes at a time when the Government is working on ways to boost the domestic aviation market. Various agreements have been inked with Oman, Kenya, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, during an international aviation conference held in Turkey last month. With Oman, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed, which allows additional 5,131 seats to airlines of the two sides. This would take the total capacity entitlements from 16,018 seats per week to 21,149 seats per week for both sides, according to an official release.-PTI
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Italy's Impregilo set to acquire US company MILAN: Leading Italian infrastructure group Salini Impregilo says it is set to buy U.S.-based Lane Industries Inc., a major civil contractor that is one of the top federal contractors for roads and highways. Salini Impregilo said that its board had approved the acquisition for about $406 million, creating a group with sales of 6 billion euros. The Italian group, which specializes in dams and water projects is working on the expansion of the Panama Canal, said the deal will make the United States one of its key regions.-AP
New policy reforms will help India's growth, says IMF WASHINGTON: Stating that India's growth will benefit from recent policy reforms, a consequent pickup in investment, and lower commodity prices, the IMF has projected a 7.5 per cent growth rate for India in 2016, against China's 6.3 per cent. However for the current 2015 year, the IMF has projected 7.3 percent growth rate, which is 0.2 per cent less than its projection made for the year in July. In emerging economies, growth will decline for the fifth year in a row in 2015, before strengthening next year, the IMF said in its report 'G-20: Global prospects and challenges' issued ahead of the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey. "Growth in China is expected to decline as excesses in real estate, credit, and investment continue to unwind. India's growth will benefit from recent policy reforms, a consequent pickup in investment, and lower commodity prices," the report said. In Brazil, weak business and consumer confidence amid difficult political conditions and a needed tightening in the macroeconomic policy stance are expected to weaken domestic demand, with investment declining particularly rapidly. In Russia, economic distress reflects the interaction of falling oil prices and international sanctions with preexisting structural weaknesses. Emerging-economy growth is projected to rebound in 2016, reflecting mostly a less deep recession or an improvement of conditions in countries in economic distress (eg. - Brazil, Russia, and some countries in Latin America and the Middle East), the report said. "Strong domestic demand in India should also be a positive factor in 2016," IMF said. "However, if the world economy's transitions are not successfully navigated, global growth could be derailed," it warned. Prominent risks include: nega-
tive spillovers from China's growth transition; further falls in commodity prices; adverse corporate balance-sheet effects and funding challenges related to dollar appreciation and tighter global financing conditions; and capital flow reversals.
nificant transitions weigh on the global outlook. First, the Federal Reserve is poised to normalize monetary policy while other major currency areas will likely be easing further. Second, China's economy is experiencing a needed moderation
After a modest and uneven expansion in 2015, the global economy is expected to grow next year at 3.6 per cent which, given sluggish global growth since the crisis, would be the fastest pace since 2011, the report said.
Any of these could substantially weaken the recovery, particularly in emerging and developing countries, the report said. IMF said in an environment of increased uncertainty, three sig-
as it embarks on a historic and multi-year rebalancing of its growth model. Third, the decade-long commodity super cycle appears to be over. At the same time, interna-
tional migration has become a pressing economic issue for both sending and receiving countries, particularly in light of the ongoing refugee crisis, it noted. After a modest and uneven expansion in 2015, the global economy is expected to grow next year at 3.6 per cent which, given sluggish global growth since the crisis, would be the fastest pace since 2011, the report said. The projection is contingent on a confluence of favorable factors, with major advanced economies continuing to benefit from supportive monetary conditions and lower commodity prices. After 5 years of decline capped by a turbulent summer emerging market economies would also be expected to pick up next year, as growth in distressed economies is less negative or recovers, the IMF said. To secure a strong and durable recovery, policies need a decisive upgrade, the report said adding that the G-20 members are grappling with difficult trade-offs in the face of limited room for maneuver and a need to adapt to new realities. This calls for a policy upgrade that combines structural reforms to raise future growth with effective demand-side measures that support today's growth and maintain stability, it said. -PTI
Economy not out of danger zone as inflation up NEW DELHI: Indian economy is still not out of the woods as industrial production slackened to a four-month low of 3.6 per cent while retail inflation inched up to 5 per cent. According to data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the 3.6 per cent industrial production growth for September is lowest since 2.5 per cent rise in May this year. While the growth rate for the latest month is higher than 2.6 per cent rate recorded in Septem-
ber 2014, it has fallen sharply from 6.2 per cent in August 2015 mainly because of subdued performance of the manufacturing sector. The retail inflation rose to four-
An effective strategy to deal with the situation is required so that the headline number does not convey an impression of inflation
month high of 5 per cent in October compared with 4.41 per cent in September this year and 4.62 per cent in October 2014. "Two key macro indicators clearly point out that the economy still faces several tough challenges," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said, adding that an effective strategy to deal with the situation is required so that the headline number does not convey an impression of inflation returning. Cont’d on page 25
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US sanctions Pak money laundering group WASHINGTON: The US has slapped sanctions on a Pakistanbased group and its affiliate in Dubai, which have ties with terrorist outfits like the LeT and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, for laundering money for criminals and political activists. "The Khanani Money Launder-
The Pakistan-based group launders illicit funds for organized crime groups, drug trafficking organizations, and designated terrorist outfits throughout the world, the US Treasury said. Additionally, the Treasury also designated Dubai-based money services firm Al Zarooni Exchange
Khanani MLO facilitates illicit money movement between Pakistan, the UAE, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries, and is responsible for laundering billions of dollars in organized crime proceeds annually. ing Organization exploits its relationships with financial institutions to funnel billions of dollars across the globe on behalf of terrorists, drug traffickers, and criminal organizations," said Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Adam J Szubin. “Today's action hinders the Khanani Money Laundering Organization from gaining access to the international financial system to launder money for these illicit actors," he said.
for being owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of directly or indirectly, the Khanani MLO, and for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the Khanani MLO. As a result of the Treasury's action, any property in the US, or in the possession or control of the US, persons, in which Khanani MLO or Al Zarooni Exchange has an interest, are blocked, and Americans are prohibited from
engaging in transactions with them. Khanani MLO is a transnational criminal organization (TCO) composed of individuals and entities operating under the supervision of Pakistani national Altaf Khanani, who the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested this September. Khanani MLO facilitates illicit money movement between Pakistan, the UAE, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries, and is responsible for laundering billions of dollars in organized crime proceeds annually. It offers laundering services to a diverse clientele, including Chinese, Colombian, and Mexican organized crime groups and individuals associated with Hizbullah, the Treasury said. "Khanani MLO has also laundered funds for designated terrorist organizations. Altaf Khanani, the head of the Khanani MLO, and Al Zarooni Exchange have been involved in the movement of funds for the Taliban, and Altaf Khanani is known to have had relationships with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Dawood Ibrahim, al-Qaeda and Jaish-e-Mohammed," the Treasury said. -PTI
Global energy market shifting from BRIC era DUBAI: The global energy market is witnessing a shift from the BRIC era which was dominated by huge demand and squeezed supply to a time of abundant reserve because of new discoveries and technology developments, according to a top energy consultant.
politics, oilfield discoveries, and ongoing developments in technology. Referring to an acronym coined by the investment bank Goldman Sachs that refers to the countries of Brazil, India, Russia, and China (BRIC), which were believed to
The BRICS leaders in 2014. Left to right: Putin, Modi, Rousseff, Xi and Zuma
During a keynote address at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Daniel Yergin said the shift in the energy market was driven by geo-
have promising emerging markets and economies, Yergin said the oil and gas industry is currently undergoing a transformation. "We are experiencing a movement from the BRIC era to the
Shale era, from a time of great demand and scarcity to a time of an abundance in supply and weaker demand," said Yergin. "What is happening today is a rebalancing of the world economy. People often underestimate the power of technology, such as that which has unlocked shale reserves and played a role in setting the stage for today's market," Yergin said. Companies today must adapt a more competitive approach, where investments will be more carefully selected and strategies assessed thoroughly for a long-term view to business, rather than one zeroed in on immediate turns, he said. "Oil companies today must demonstrate agility," Yergin said. "Innovation and developments in technology are critical to meeting the needs and future requirements of today's growing world, and events like ADIPEC help drive the discussions that pave the way to a sustainable energy future." PTI
Economy not out of danger zone as inflation up Cont’d from page 24
September 2015 against 2.9 per cent in the year-ago period. India Ratings & Research Chief Economist D K Pant said September IIP at 3.6 per cent is much lower than expectations. "While consumer durable and capital goods production increased, slower growth of manufacturing sector pulled down IIP growth," Pant added. The manufacturing sector, which constitutes over 75 per cent of the index, grew 2.6 per cent in
This will be the last set of macro data this year RBI will consider before it heads into its policy review due in December. Retail inflation measured in terms of the consumer price index surged due to costlier pulses and other food items. Prices in the pulses and products category rose to a staggering 42.20 per cent in October. While the price rise in the food and beverage category came in at 5.34 per cent in October, inflation in The factory output was cereals and products revised slightly downwards was also higher at 1.46 per cent, CPI data re- to 6.2 per cent for August, leased by CSO showed. "With aggressive from the provisional estimeasures in place to mate of 6.4 per cent earlier. control the price increase, CII is confident of a moderation (in retail inflation), September 2015, against 2.7 per going forward. This should be sup- cent expansion in the same month portive of general economic recov- last year. ery in the second half of the year," Industry-wise, 11 out of 22 CII DG Chandrajit Banerjee said. groups in the manufacturing secIndustrial output growth, mea- tor showed positive growth in sured in terms of the index of in- September. The output of condustrial production (IIP), had sumer non-durable goods congrown by 2.6 per cent in Septem- tracted 4.6 per cent in the month ber last year. under review against a growth of The factory output was revised 1.3 per cent in September 2014. slightly downwards to 6.2 per cent The mining sector growth came for August, from the provisional in at 3 per cent in September 2015 estimate of 6.4 per cent earlier. against 0.1 per cent in the same IIP stood at 4 per cent in April- month last fiscal.-PTI
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TechBiz Post
India Post
November 20, 2015
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Alibaba sets record with $14 bn sales BEIJING: China's e-commerce giant Alibaba created a new record in online sales netting USD 14.33 billion on the annual Singles Day, the world's biggest online shopping day, with shoppers splurging on a variety of products despite the world's second biggest economy experiencing its worst slowdown since 2009. Alibaba, which accounts for eight per cent of China's total retail volume, said its total sales on one day far exceeded the 57.1 billion yuan (USD 10 billion) transactions it generated last year. Besides Alibaba, a host of other online retail outlets including the JD.com, Suning Commerce Group, reported massive sale on the Singles Day, an online buying fiesta akin to America's Cyber Monday. It is on this part of the year, Chinese purchase all households goods offered at the cheapest possible prices.
The army of Internet shoppers had ordered 37,000 health products from the US within 11 hours of the start of Singles Day, said Sun Weimin, vice-chairman of Suning.
CITU flays Center's 'reckless' easing of FDI NEW DELHI: In growing process of further de-industrializaclamor against Center's move of tion and destruction of domestic easing FDI in 15 key sectors, in- capacities. cluding defense, airlines and bank"Such a retrograde move will ing, Centre of Indian Trade Unions kill much more jobs than it had (CITU) has urged its members for assumed to generate," the statea nationwide protest against the ment read. "anti-people and reckless deciPushing ahead with major resion". forms, the BJP-led NDA governTerming the Center's decision as a "retrograde design" of harm- "We call upon working ing the country's people to unitedly condemn economy, CITU said that the move was a des- such desperate bid to make perate attempt at ap- this country a hunting peasing the BJP ground and object for loot Government's foreign patrons in the wake of and exploitation� the drubbing it got during the Bihar Assembly polls. ment had on November 10 relaxed "CITU denounces the reckless Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) move in liberalizing FDI in numer- rules in 15 sectors such as civil ous sectors including core and aviation, banking, defense, retail strategic sectors of economy and news broadcasting. much to the detriment of national While 100 per cent FDI has interests. been allowed in DTH, cable net"We call upon working people work and plantation crop, overto unitedly condemn such desper- seas investment limit in up-linking ate bid to make this country a hunt- of news and current affairs TV ing ground and object for loot and channels has been raised to 49 per exploitation and raise their voice cent from 26 per cent. of protest and opposition," CITU The government relaxed condigeneral secretary Tapan Sen said tions for FDI in single-brand retail in a statement. and allowed 100 per cent FDI unSen claimed that none of the der automatic route in duty-free concessions offered to foreign shops and Limited Liability Partcapital will benefit the national nerships (LLP) and eased foreign economy "except creating more investment norms in the defense job losses" through unleashing a sector.-PTI
By 6 pm, customers also had ordered 2.20 lakh Xiaomi smartphones, 3.80 lakh boxes of Durex condoms and nearly the same number of mobile power chargers, said Suning group.
Chidambaram takes a dig at Modi on FDI NEW DELHI: Taking a dig at the BJP, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that the party which had opposed FDI in retail was now relaxing the rules. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chidambaram said, should recall what he had tweeted on December 5, 2012. "BJP government liberalizes FDI in retail. Will the BJP tell us what it had said when FDI was first allowed in retail," he said. Chidambaram said that Modi in December 2012 had said, "Congress is giving nation to foreigners. Most parties opposed FDI but due to sword of CBI, some did not vote and Congress won through backdoor." He was reacting to the government's decision to liberalize FDI norms in 15 sectors, including retail. The government relaxed the FDI policy norms for the single brand retail trading (SBRT) and permitted 100 per cent foreign investment in duty free shops. The Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement that it is seen that in certain high technology segments, it is not possible for retail entity to comply with the sourcing norms. To provide opportunity to such single brand entities, it has been decided that in case of 'state-ofart' and cutting edge technology' sourcing norms can be relaxed subject to government approval, it said.-PTI
Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba, said the Singles Day represents only a small part of the huge potential for domestic demand in China. Hundreds of thousands of
businesses benefit from Singles Day not only Internet companies, but also other companies that produce quality products, he said. "China has a middle-class population of 300 million. We believe there will be 500 million within the next 15 years, which would bring huge demand for high-quality products, therefore boosting economic growth," Ma said. The online sales continued to be success despite a recent official report submitted to the Chinese lawmakers saying only 58.7 per cent of items in online trade were genuine, while the remaining 40 per cent were shoddy or counterfeit. E-commerce has become a success in China as it overtook the US as the world largest online retail market with USD 442 billion compared to US' nearly USD 300 billion last year. -PTI
China auto sales grow at year's strongest rate BEIJING: China's auto sales accelerated to this year's strongest growth in October after the market pulled out of a slump following a sales tax cut, data from an industry group shows. Purchases of sedans, SUVs and minivans in the biggest market by number of vehicles sold rose 13.3 percent to 1.9 million, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. That was up from September's 3.3 percent growth, which followed three months of contraction. Chinese auto sales growth that peaked at 45 percent in 2009 fell steadily as the world's secondlargest economy cooled and major cities tried to curb smog and congestion by imposing limits on numbers of new vehicles allowed. Growth rebounded after Beijing cut the sales tax in September on vehicles with engine sizes of 1.6 liters and below by half to 5 percent. In October, sales of SUVs grew by an explosive 60.6 percent over a year earlier to 622,000 units, according to CAAM. Sales of sedans edged up 0.2 percent to just over 1 million. Chinese brands that dominate smaller and lower-priced market
segments grew as fast the market, reversing a trend of trailing global brands in growth and losing market share to them. Total vehicle sales, including trucks and buses, rose 11.8 percent to 2.2 million units. The sales decline was so unexpectedly severe that analysts who had forecast 7 to 8 percent growth
this year slashed that to as low as 1.7 percent. The slump was jarring for global automakers that are looking to China to drive sales. General Motors Co. and Volkswagen AG, the country's top-selling brands, cut prices to lure buyers. • GM said sales of General Motors brand cars by the company and its Chinese partners rose 15 percent over a year earlier to a record 327,037 units. It said sales of Buick vehicles had their best month ever, rising 42 percent. • Ford Motor Co. said sales rose 7 percent over a year ago to 95,185 vehicles.-AP
TechBiz Post
November 20, 2015
India Post
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Swachh Bharat cess on taxable service NEW DELHI: Finance Ministry has said that service tax on restaurant bills will go up from 5.6 per cent to 5.8 per cent following the levy of 0.5 per cent Swachh Bharat cess on all taxable services from November 15. The Ministry, however, clarified that the Swachh Bharat cess will not apply on those services for which payments have been received prior to November 15 and invoices raised before November 29. It would mean that the Railway and flight tickets booked before November 15 will not attract the additional levy. The Swachh Bharat cess, the statement said, will be levied only on the portion of taxable services (after abatement) and will go towards funding of the cleanliness drive, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Swachh Bharat Cess will come into effect from November 15,
2015, at the rate of 0.5 per cent on all services, which are presently liable to Service Tax. This will translate into a tax of 50 paisa only on every one hundred rupees worth of taxable services. The proceeds from this cess will be used for financing and promoting Swachh Bharat initiatives," the
Ministry said in a statement. The Ministry clarified that all provisions including those related to computation of taxable value, assessment, exemption, payment, penalty applicable to service tax would apply to Swachh Bharat Cess. "In case payment has been received before the service became taxable and invoice is raised within 14 days, i.e. up to November 29, 2015, even then the service tax li-
ability does not arise," it added. Explaining the provisions, it said, the cess would be calculated on the abated value or value arrived as per the Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006. For restaurants or eating joints having air conditioning facility, the cess would be 0.5 per cent of 40 per cent of the billed amount i.e 0.2 per cent. "The cumulative service tax and Swachh Bharat Cess liability would be 5.8 per cent (14.5 per cent of 40 per cent) of the total amount charged," it said. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said the cess will be counted on abetted/compounded amount in cases where rate is not 14 per cent. Cenvat credit is not available on Swachh Bharat cess, he added. he Finance Ministry statement said Swachh Bharat cess will be payable on services which are provided on or after November 15, invoice in respect of which is issued on or after that date and payment is also received on or after that date.-PTI
Farmers threaten stir against easing of FDI NEW DELHI: A Left-backed farmers' body has criticized the Centre for easing FDI in 15 key sectors, including agriculture and plantations, and threatened to launch a nationwide protest if the NDA Government persisted with the "retrograde" reforms. The All India Kisan Sabha claimed that the move will bring more "miseries" to peasantry while benefiting middlemen. "AIKS strongly demands Centre to ensure foreign investors are kept out of agriculture, animal husbandry and plantation sectors. Otherwise, the AIKS, along with likeminded organizations, will build countrywide massive resistance movement to save peasantry and rural working class," the farmers' wing of CPI(M) AIKS General Sand president Amra Ram said in a joint statement. The duo noted that "this is a retrograde step that will bring more miseries to working class and peasantry, while benefiting only
certain affluent sections that will play the role of middlemen. This will intensify exploitation of peasantry already facing severe distress under neo-liberal reforms." Mollah and Ram also countered government's claims that the decision will help liberalize and sim-
plify FDI policy to provide ease of doing business resulting in growth in investment and employment. To prove their point, the body cited example of reported economic, political and environmental dangers faced by Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Guatemala, Argentina and Brazil, which had taken similar decisions.-PTI
Horoscope
28 India Post
November 20, 2015
www.indiapost.com
Nov 20th - Nov 26th 2015
ncertainty and confusions could develop and you will be given limited options. You may be in touch with an expert for advice but any decision will be hard. You will spend a lot of time on writing mails and reaching out people. Some of you may travel long distance in connection with office work. Money wise it will be rewarding week.
U
egal matter will come to an end and the wastage will stop. You will be getting ready for an upcoming trip. Money wise you will continue to stay very comfortable and have several chances to make extra bucks. You will have the opportunity to enjoy company of some beautiful people. Money will go on buying new cloths.
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K
nowledge recently gained will help you move into right direction. You will make final payment on several bills. You will visit a nice place with family to meet an old friend. A child not doing so well in the past will make remarkable recovery. Enemies and opponents will try their best to hurt you but will not succeed.
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ake a chance and listen to advice given by some one in powerful position. There will be some progress in a property related issue and things can come to a closure soon. You will continue to deal with strong opponents and ultimately win. Some one will call from distant place and give a pleasant news. People in business will have better sales.
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t will take few weeks to regain self confidence. You will take few courageous actions but will be nervous and scared at the same time. You will be making plans with children and spending more money on them. Uncertainty will disappear and stress will also reduce a lot at work place. Financially you will continue to do well and meet commitments easily.
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ome one close will hurt your feelings. Do not let slow progress shake your self confidence. Some of you will start trying your luck in total different field. There will be victory in ongoing legal battle very soon. You will be making big plans with family for coming summer. You will be applying for credit or some kind of loan application also.
here is a threat to your reputation, so express your self in black and white very carefully and make correct choice of words to communicate. Planets will keeps hopes high about money and you are right there is a big chance to strike it rich or make big bucks this week. Risk will pay off and once again things will start moving your way in career.
M
oney wise you will do better from now but may have some concerns about health. You will make big change in food habits. You will pay lots of attention to some one who took care of you in the past. You will spend some time among politicians also. Stress at work place will come down and you will be assigned to an easier job.
M
our talents will be recognized. Opportunity will come on a silver platter. It will be better to have the language changed and clause removed before you sign that contract. Some one from past will read the signs wrong and try to flirt with you. You have to be careful when driving or parking your vehicle. Business trip will be very fruitful.
Y
fforts made in the past will start bearing fruits from now and on. You will be assigned to a prestigious project. You may attend a get together with other people in similar profession. Business will also pick up suddenly and new vendor will help you save lots of money. You have to let the past go and forget about things you lost, they are not coming back.
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o not fall for the false promises; it's a bait to get more out of you. If you can keep emotions under controls you have absolutely nothing else to worry about. Changes you had been waiting for will start taking place in career at fast pace. You may purchase some big ticket item for personal use. Value of your assets and stocks will appreciate.
oney will come and disappear fast but will go on good reasons only. You will learn some thing new and useful that can help and open new doors in career. Chances are you will be on the move throughout the week and also accomplish a lot. Avoid any argument at home or some one close. You will need to replace electric item in the house.
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November 20, 2015
www.indiapost.com
India Post 29
TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Gulaabo : Shaandaar 2 Main Hoon Hero Tera: Hero 3 Shaam Shaandaar : Shaandaar 4 Prem Leela: Prem Ratan Dhan 30 India Post
November 20, 2015
www.indiapost.com
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5 Matargashti : Tamasha
he desi girl of Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra has finally lost her heart to a bidesi man. According to the latest grapevine, Piggy Chops has fallen in love with a young man from Los Angeles. Priyanka got to meet the man of her dream while she was shooting for her debut American show, 'Quantico'. It is also said that wedding is on the cards but there has been no official confirmation about it. Priyanka is going steady in her relationship and both are keen to take their relationship to the next level. The man in question is keeping a low profile and is in no mood to expose himself. The 'Bajirao Mastani' actress has not yet been clicked with the disguised man. Priyanka Chopra in the long tenure of her successful career was linked with guys like Aseem Merchant, Shahid Kapoor and Harman Baweja but it was all short-lived. She was also rumored to be dating superstar Shahrukh Khan. Well, Priyanka is the most sought after actress of Bollywood and her fans might be very happy to hear the news of her impending wedding.
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6 Tung Tung Baje : Singh Is Bliing 7 Bandeyaa : Jazbaa 8 Afghan Jalebi : Phantom 9 Singh & Kaur : Singh Is Bliing 10 Raitaa Phail Gaya : Shaandaar
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anbir Kapoor's former lady love Deepika Padukone is quick to defend the actor on his box office failures, saying he always delivers his best because his heart lies in his work. While Ranbir admits he has the desire to "prove" himself "again", Deepika says "there's nothing to prove" when it comes to an actor as talented as him. "Every individual goes through ups and downs. The intention is never to make a flop film... I haven't come across anyone more passionate about films and acting. The intention is always in the right direction, his heart is in the right place," Deepika said during an interaction. Deepika and Ranbir seem to share a crackling camaraderie on the screen again. Ranbir, who is now dating actress Katrina Kaif, said he hopes he gets to do more and frequent films with Deepika.
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e has shot films across the world, but Ranbir Kapoor says he loves shooting in Delhi, and especially its varied facets that filmmaker Imtiaz Ali encapsulates in his movies. Ranbir says: "Tamasha has its intense moments... Our Corsica leg was amazing, and the Delhi portion was great too. I don't think anyone captures Delhi the way Imtiaz does, whether it's his Love Aaj Kal, Highway or Rockstar. "No other director justifies Delhi better than Imtiaz... He understands Delhi, the heart of Delhi, its characters, its people, its language." The actor also believes that when they are put in real locations such as those used by Imtiaz, it "adds to the performance". "You feel the world, you feel the smell, you feel the food and feel the vibe. Delhi is by far my favorite place to shoot," he said.
Ranbir was in the capital city to soak in the Diwali festivity on the eve of the fest of lights. He was accompanied by his Tamasha co-star Deepika Padukone.
"No other director justifies Delhi better than Imtiaz... He understands Delhi, the heart of Delhi, its characters, its people, its language."
Bollywood
November 20, 2015
India Post 31
www.indiapost.com
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fter debuting in Shoojit Sircar's Vicky Donor, Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam reunite for a single, titled "Yahin Hoon Main". Directed by Amit Roy and produced by Bhushan Kumar, the song is sung by Ayushmann while his college buddy Rochak Kohli has composed the music. Amit, who has directed Ayushmann in his previous single 'Mitti Di Khushboo', shot in the picturesque Chail region of Himachal Pradesh. Amit says Ayushmann and Yami share a great
onscreen chemistry. “It's surprising that they haven't been cast together even after delivering a hit like Vicky Donor when Bollywood is known to cash in on hit pairs," he adds. The song required Ayushmann and Yami to play college kids who grow into mature individuals.
“It's surprising that they haven't been cast together even after delivering a hit like Vicky Donor when Bollywood is known to cash in on hit pairs,"
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fter Ek Paheli Leela, Sunny Leone and Ahmed Khan are teaming up yet again for a single titled 'Main Supergirl'. The single which is produced by Bhushan Kumar, also reunites Sunny and 'Baby Doll' singer Kanika Kapoor, who is also the composer of the single. "It's a peppy number that everyone's going to love," asserts Ahmed, "Sunny Leone has been waiting to do a single for a long time and will be seen donning several avatars, including that of a waitress, nurse, chef and a gym instructor," says Ahmed.
B Sunny Leone's stylist was recently packed off to London to shop for her outfits. "Sunny has eight-10 costume changes, we wanted her to look glam," concludes Ahmed Khan.
"Sunny Leone has been waiting to do a single for a long time and will be seen donning several avatars, including that of a waitress, nurse, chef and a gym instructor,"
ipasha Basu, who has been spotted numerous times with actor Karan Singh Grover, says that she does not let link-up rumors make any difference to her equation with Karan. The two were seen together in their film Alone (2015), after which there were reports of them dating, and have often been clicked on holidays together. "I have grown a thick skin over the years. Many things have been discussed about me, but that doesn't really stop me from living my personal life. I was foolish when I was younger, but you learn with time. First, I should know what I'm doing, only then can I tell the world what I am doing, if I need to and I really have to," she says. The actor says she has never really felt the pressure of being a celebrity. "It all depends on the kind of person you are, your take on life and your expectations on what life should be like. I never really carried the baggage of being a celebrity," she says, adding, "I live my life as just any other girl. I don't think there are too many downsides."
„ Health
Line
Scar-free plastic surgery done in Canada TORONTO: Doctors in Canada have successfully carried out scar-free facial reconstruction on an adult patient, the very first such procedure in the history of plastic surgery in the country. In an eight-hour operation, a team led by Daniel Borsuk, a doctor at Hospital MaisonneuveRosemont carried out the facial reconstruction using virtual surgery and 3D models, removing a vascularised piece of pelvic bone and reshaping it to adapt it to the rest of the face before transplanting it through the inside of the mouth, with no scars left at all. In the past, this type of procedure would have necessitated multiple interventions and left one or more scars, researchers said. "The operation, during which the latest technologies were applied to reconstructive plastic surgery, sends a real message of hope to anyone who feels they must simply live with this type of disfigurement and who often feels so self-conscious that they isolate themselves," said Borsuk, also a professor at the University of Montreal. Borsuk had already participated in a milestone moment in the history of reconstructive surgery when he was the only Canadian physician on an American face transplant team, researchers said. -PTI
„ Two win NIH grants for brain research WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.: Purdue University says two researchers have been awarded grants from the National Institutes of Health for brain research. Assistant professor Meng Cui of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Biological Sciences, received a $1.4 million grant. She'll lead a research team harnessing the same kind of adaptive optics technology used in astronomy for a new system to take non-invasive images of the brain's cortex. Assistant chemistry professor Mathew Tantama received a grant of $450,000 to create an optical sensor to detect and follow neuropeptides. Those are molecules involved in cell signaling and communication. Theirs are among 67 new awards totaling more than $38 million announced by NIH last month. -AP
Health Science 32 India Post
www.indiapost.com
November 20, 2015
Grilled meat may up kidney cancer risk Details on Page 35
Clinton pushes back against GOP on veterans' health issues DERRY, N.H.: Hillary Rodham Clinton has outlined steps to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs, casting herself as a protector against proposals to privatize the sprawling health care system for those who have served in the military. In a pre-Veterans Day event, the Democratic presidential candidate said she would seek to improve veterans' health care, modernize veterans' benefits system and address an unwieldy bureaucracy that was exposed in a scandal involving chronic delays for those seeking medical care or to have their claims processed. ``These problems are serious, systemic and unacceptable. They need to be fixed,'' Clinton said at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall. She added: ``Privatization is a betrayal, plain and simple, and I am not going to let it happen.'' Clinton's town hall meeting included questions about how she might tackle the threat posed by Islamic State militants if she becomes commander in chief. Clinton said in response to a question that she does not currently support a declaration of war against the Islamic State given the diffuse nature of the group and the potential costs. ``If you have a declaration of war you better have a budget that backs it up,'' she said. At another point, a man who once worked for Hewlett-Packard
told Clinton that when he sees Republican candidate Carly Fiorina, a former HP chief executive, on television, he wants to reach in and ``strangle her.'' Clinton laughed along with the audience as the man said: ``I know that doesn't sound very nice.'' Clinton told him: ``I wouldn't mess with you.''
would seek fundamental changes to veterans' health care to ensure access to high quality health care in a timely fashion and address the backlog in claims. She said within the first 30 days of taking office she would convene the defense secretary and VA secretary for regular meetings and there would be ``zero tolerance'' for
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton acknowledges supporters after filing papers to be on the nation's earliest presidential primary ballot, in Concord, N.H.
Republicans National Committee spokeswoman Allison Moore said that the joke was in poor taste and that Clinton and Democrats had ``lost all credibility claiming to be a party that stands up for women.'' Clinton spokeswoman Christina Reynolds said the man was ``using a figure of speech that should not be taken literally.'' Clinton's plan for veterans
abuses and delays within the system. Clinton's campaign has pointed to plans circulated by the conservative Concerned Veterans for America that would restructure the Veterans Health Administration into a government chartered nonprofit corporation to help it compete with the private sector. Republicans say she has
overstated efforts to privatize veterans' health care. Responding to her proposals, GOP officials said Clinton was offering hypocrisy, noting that her plan would allow the government to contract with the private sector for certain services such as special inpatient or surgical procedures and access to mental health and substance abuse treatment when the VA couldn't provide timely access to care. ``For her to accuse me and my Republican colleagues of wanting to `privatize' the VA is, of course, inaccurate and offensive,'' Arizona Sen. John McCain said in a statement. He pointed to a veterans' bill signed into law last year by President Barack Obama that included an expansion of private care options. Clinton was forced to backtrack last month after she said in an interview with MSNBC that the veterans' health care scandal was not ``as widespread'' as suggested, and accused Republicans of politicizing the agency. Republicans, led by McCain, responded that Clinton lacked an appreciation for the crisis facing veterans' health care'' and urged her to apologize. Phoenix was the epicenter of the wait-time scandal that led to the resignation of former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and a new law overhauling the agency and authorizing billions in new spending. -AP
Culprit behind your misery can be Facebook LONDON: People who are on Facebook are more likely to be unhappy and have low life satisfaction than those who do not use the social networking site, according to a new study. The Happiness Research Institute conducted an experiment on 1,095 people in Denmark. Half of the participants were asked to refrain from using Facebook for one week while the control group continued their social media activities as usual. At the end of the week, the participants were asked to evalu-
ate their life satisfaction on a scale of one to ten both before and after the one-week experiment. The researchers found a significantly higher level of life sat-
isfaction among those who did not visit Facebook. The control group gave an av-
erage 7.67 ranking to their life satisfaction before the experiment. By the end of the week, that had barely changed to 7.75. However, the other group saw life satisfaction shoot up from 7.56 to 8.12 after their Facebook-free week, the 'Local' reported. People on Facebook were 39 percent more likely to feel less happy than their friends. They were also 55 percent more likely to feel stressed. The control group also reported feeling angrier and lonelier than those who did not use
Facebook, researchers said. Meik Wiking, CEO Happiness Research Institute said that the experiment's results were largely down to people's tendency to compare themselves to others. In the study, 61 percent of the participants said they prefer to post their "good sides" on Facebook and 69 percent prefer to post photos of the "great things" in their lives on the site. "If we are constantly exposed to great news, we risk evaluating our own lives as less good," Wiking said. -PTI
November 20, 2015
Health Science Post
India Post 33
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New method to 3D print Indian American awarded for clinical cardiology building blocks of life Scientists have developed a new 3D body, which explains the higher levels of printing method capable of producing cell proliferation," he said. highly uniform blocks of embryonic stem The researchers hope that this technique cells (building blocks of life), which could can be developed to produce embryoid be used as the 'Lego bricks' to build larger body at a high throughput, providing the structures of tissues, and potentially even basic building blocks for other researchers micro-organs. These cells are capable of generating all cell types in the body, the researchers said. "It was really exciting to see that we could grow embryoid body in such a controlled manner," said lead author Wei Sun, from Drexel University in US. "The grown embryoid body is uniform and homogenous, and serves as a much Researchers used extrusion-based 3D printing to produce better starting point grid-like 3D structure. for further tissue growth," Sun said. The researchers used extrusion-based to perform experiments on tissue regenera3D printing to produce a grid-like 3D struc- tion and/or for drug screening studies. ture to grow embryoid body that demon"Our next step is to find out more about strated cell viability and rapid self-renewal how we can vary the size of the embryoid for 7 days while maintaining high body by changing the printing and strucpluripotentcy. tural parameters, and how varying the em"Two other common methods of print- bryoid body size leads to "manufacture" ing these cells are either two-dimensional of different cell types," said Rui Yao, from (in a petri dish) or via the 'suspension' Tsinghua University in China. method (where a 'stalagmite' of cells is built "In the longer term, we'd like to produce up by material being dropped via gravity)," controlled heterogeneous embryonic bodsaid Sun. ies," said Sun. "However, these don't show the same "This would promote different cell types cell uniformity and homogenous prolifera- developing next to each other - which tion," Sun said. would lead the way for growing micro-or"I think that we've produced a 3D mi- gans from scratch within the lab," he added. croenvironment which is much more like The research was published in the jourthat found in vivo for growing embryoid nal Biofabrication. -PTI
Handful of walnuts can boost male fertility LOS ANGELES: A simple way to boost male fertility, a major problem across the world, could be gobbling a handful of walnuts, researchers say. "The initial research we conducted regarding walnuts and male fertility found improvement in sperm parameters after adding walnuts to the diet and has set the stage for us to further explore the impacts of walnuts on male fertility and reproductive health," said professor Wendie Robbins of the UCLA School of Nursing. "New projects are underway that we hope to be able to share with you in the near future," she said. Infertility and subfertility affect a significant propor-
tion of humanity and the burden in men is relatively unknown. Infertility is defined as a "disease of the reproductive system" and results in disability. Commenting on the study in 2012, Robbins said that 75 grams of walnuts consumed daily improved sperm vitality, motility, and morphology in a group of healthy young men between 21-35 years of age. These findings are of particular interest to the over 70 million couples worldwide who experience sub-fertility. In fact, 30 to 50% of these cases are attributed to the male partner. Walnuts are the only nut that are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid.- PTI
WASHINGTON: An Indian American physician has been felicitated with the highest award in clinical cardiology in the US in recognition of his significant discoveries expanding the field of cardiovascular diagnostic imaging. Dr Sanjiv Kaul of the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland was presented the James B Herrick Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Cardiology by American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology, "in grateful recognition of his highly significant discoveries expanding the field of cardiovascular diagnostic imaging and greatly enhancing the care of patients with heart and blood vessel disease," a media release said. "In pioneering research in the areas of contrast echocardiography and nuclear cardiology, Dr Kaul redefined key aspects of coronary physiology and pathophysiology. Almost single-handedly, he has elevated an entire field from basic concepts to practical utilization," said Clinical Cardiology Council Chair Ileana Pina, who presented the award to him. "Kaul introduced molecular imaging techniques to better detect the size of a heart attack as well as the extent of coro-
nary artery narrowing and inflammation in arterial plaques - "all invaluable tools widely used for patient evaluation," Pina said. A native of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Kaul is the Ernest C Swigert Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, Professor of Medicine and Radiology, Chief Executive Officer of the Knight Cardiovascular Institute and Asso-
A native of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Sanjiv Kaul is the Ernest C Swigert Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine
ciate Dean of the School of Medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University. -PTI
34 India Post
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November 20, 2015
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E. coli cases highlight foodborne illness SEATTLE: As Chipotle prepares to reopen its restaurants in the Pacific Northwest after an E. coli outbreak that sickened about 45 people, health experts say foodborne illnesses are more common than the public realizes. Forty three Chipotle restaurants in Washington state and the Portland, Oregon, area have been closed since the end of October. Eleven of those stores were directly connected to the outbreak which sent more than a dozen people to the hospital. About 48 million cases of foodborne disease occur in the U.S. annually, sending about 105,000 people to the hospital and resulting in 2,000 deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's about 1 in 7 people in the country getting sick from food every year. Many of these illnesses involve people eating at home, but even restaurant-related outbreaks are fairly common, said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases at Oregon's state health agency. ``Screw-ups can occur in any kitchen, but obviously it's more dramatic when it occurs in a kitchen that serves 5,000 people,'' said Cieslak, who has helped investigate the E. coli outbreak that sickened about 40 people in Wash-
ington state and Oregon. There are things people can do to ward off foodborne illnesses: Wash your hands before making or eating food, avoid undercooked hamburger or raw shellfish, be careful about crosscontamination of raw meat, wash produce thoroughly, and steer clear of unpasteurized milk or juice. But it's impossible to avoid all
mercy of what's going on in the kitchen,'' he said. Most reports of potential foodrelated illnesses pose no ongoing threat, so local health departments do not report them to the public, according to Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Seattle and King County Public Health. Of the more than 1,000 potential cases each year in the county
A pedestrian walks past a closed Chipotle restaurant in Seattle. Washington
bacteria on food, Cieslak says. For example, if lettuce or berries are contaminated with E. coli, it's very difficult to wash them well enough to get to every nook and cranny where the bacteria are hiding. ``When you go to a restaurant, let's face it - you're kind of at the
that includes Seattle, only a handful are confirmed as food-related outbreaks. When those confirmed cases pose an ongoing risk to the public, an announcement is made. Duchin said that's why the most recent Chipotle-related outbreak attracted widespread media
attention, while a smaller case five people sick from eating at one Seattle Chipotle restaurant in July - was not reported. The July outbreak had ended by the time the health department investigated, and officials found no evidence of an ongoing problem that people needed to know about, said Duchin, who noted the two cases involved different E. coli strains. A Seattle attorney who specializes in food-safety cases and whose daughter was a frequent customer of the Chipotle in the earlier case was upset when he heard about that outbreak. ``It just drives me nuts,'' said Bill Marler, who built his national reputation with the 1993 E. coli outbreak at Seattle Jack in the Box restaurants. ``This is the kind of thing that tears apart people's belief that government can actually do stuff correctly and good.'' Government regulations and restaurant and farm inspections prevent some people from getting sick, but critics say more must be done to prevent foodborne illness. Better testing on farms and in warehouses is one hope of Jaydee Hanson, a senior policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety. The Washington, D.C.based nonprofit promotes food safety and sustainable agricul-
ture. Hanson says good government regulations and inspections help prevent some illnesses, as do responsible farmers, restaurants and grocery stores. Public pressure will help improve the nation's food system and so will lawyers, he added. ``I have no doubt in mind that the civil justice system does change behavior,'' said Ryan Osterholm, a lawyer for Pirtzer Olsen in Minneapolis, which has filed lawsuits against Chipotle in the current case and a previous case in Minnesota. Osterholm said such lawsuits will force the company to answer questions like whether it visited the farms where its produce was grown and if it gets outside help with food quality and safety. In response to the latest outbreak, Chipotle announced several new efforts to improve food safety, including testing of fresh produce, raw meat and dairy items before they arrive in its restaurants. ``We have also retained two of the nation's best food-safety scientists to work with us to assess practices and find additional areas for improvement,'' Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said. ``We are leaving no stone unturned in terms of finding ways to improve upon our practices.'' -AP
'Job insecurity main reason for presenteeism' LONDON: High job demands, stress and job insecurity are among the main reasons why people go to work even when they are ill, according to new research. The study by researchers at University of East Anglia (UEA) in the United Kingdom has found that presenteeism - employees going to work when sick - not only stems from stress, but from raised motivation, for example high job satisfaction and a strong sense of commitment to the organization. One of the significant links to presenteeism is the severity of organizational policies used to monitor or reduce staff absence, such as strict trigger points for disciplinary action, job insecurity, limited paid sick leave, or few absence days allowed without a medical certificate. Lead author Mariella Miraglia, a lecturer at UEA's Norwich Business School, noted that presenteeism was associated with work and personal factors, not just medical conditions.
Also, that these factors were more strongly related to, and so more able to predict presenteeism than absenteeism. In previous research, presenteeism has been linked to errors, lower performance, exacer-
titudes and withdrawal from work," said Miraglia, who worked with Gary Johns of Concordia University in Canada. "However, the possible negative consequences of being absent can prompt employees to show up
cal model to identify the most significant causes of presenteeism and absenteeism, with work and personal characteristics relating differently to presenteeism depending on whether they followed a 'health
Conflict between work and family, and vice versa, and being exposed to harassment, abuse, and discrimination at work were also positively related to presenteeism. bating health problems and affecting wellbeing, with more productivity loss than absenteeism. "Working while ill can compound the effects of the initial illness and result in negative job at-
ill or to return to work when not totally recovered," said Miraglia. The research analyzed data from 61 previous studies involving more than 175,960 participants. Miraglia developed an analyti-
impairment' or 'attitudinal/motivational' path. Job demands, such as workload, understaffing, overtime and time pressure, along with difficulty of finding cover and per-
sonal financial difficulties, were found to be key reasons why people might not take a day off. Conflict between work and family, and vice versa, and being exposed to harassment, abuse, and discrimination at work were also positively related to presenteeism. This is because these negative experiences can exacerbate stress and harm health, requiring employees to choose between going to work and staying away. Those who had a supportive work environment, for example supportive colleagues and a good relationship with managers, felt they did not have to go to work when ill, and were both more satisfied with their jobs and healthier. Optimism was linked to presenteesim, in that those with a positive outlook were more willing to carry on with their work while ill, researchers said. The study was published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.-PTI
November 20, 2015
Health Science Post
India Post 35
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Grilled meat may up kidney cancer risk HOUSTON: Pan-fried, grilled or barbecued meat, cooked at high temperatures or over an open flame, may increase the risk of kidney cancer, a new study has claimed. The study indicates that a meat-rich diet may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer through mechanisms related to particular cooking compounds. These associations may be modified by genetic susceptibility to kidney cancer. The study illustrates how diet and genetics may interact to impact cancer risk. The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer in adults, has been increasing in the US and other developed nations, researchers said. Researchers suspected that factors related to a western lifestyle - such as a diet high in meats, processed foods, and
starches - may play an important role in this trend. To investigate, a team led by Xifeng Wu, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, studied the di-
etary intake and genetic risk factors of 659 patients newly diagnosed with RCC and 699 healthy controls. Researchers found that kidney cancer patients consumed more red and white meat compared with cancer-free individuals. Also, cancer patients consumed more cancer-causing chemicals that are produced when meat is cooked at high temperatures or over an open flame (particularly pan-frying or barbecuing). Finally, the investigators discovered that individuals with certain genetic variants were more susceptible to the harmful effects of these cancer-causing chemicals. "Our study provides additional evidence for the role of red meat, white meat, and 2amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo (4,5-b) pyridine (PhIP) in RCC etiology and is the first study of dietary intake of mutagenic compounds and RCC risk to suggest an association with -amino-3,8dimethylimidazo(4,5-f) quinoxaline (MeIQx), one of the most abundant heterocyclic amines commonly created in grilling, barbecuing, and pan-frying meats at high temperatures," said Wu. "Also, our study is the first to evaluate the impact of RCC susceptibility variants, identified via genome-wide association studies, on the association between intake of mutagenic compounds and RCC risk," Wu said. -PTI
Cheyenne to open new mental health facility CHEYENNE, Wyo.: Officials with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cheyenne say they expect to start operating a new mental health facility next year. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that VA officials say they plan to open the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Facility, which is attached to the main hospital, by January. The center will provide extended-stay
treatment for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, other mental illnesses and substance-abuse problems. The Cheyenne VA currently only offers outpatient mental health care and outreach services. Veterans in need of voluntary intensive care over long periods of time are referred to other VA locations, such as Denver. -AP
Snohomish County bans e-cigarettes EVERETT, Wash.: Snohomish County health officials have voted to prohibit vaping and electronic cigarettes in public places. KOMO-TV reports that health department officials voted unanimously for the ban saying it will protect against the risks of secondhand exposure.
Under the new regulations, stores must be licensed, limit their seating and cannot sell vaping products to those under age 18. `No vaping' signs will also be put in public places. King, Pierce, Grant and Clark counties also ban e-cigarette smoking in public. -AP
FDA clears first new tobacco products WASHINGTON: The Food and Drug Administration has cleared the first new tobacco products for the U.S. market, under a system authorized more than 5 years ago. The agency on Tuesday cleared the sale of eight varieties of snus, or teabag-like pouches of loose tobacco, from Swedish Match. Snus are popular in Scandinavian countries and are a growing part of the U.S. smokeless tobacco market. The milestone, while significant, is somewhat technical. Snus are already available in the U.S. from a number of companies, including Swedish Match and Altria Group Inc., parent company of Phillip Morris. But regulators say the revamped snus from Swedish Match are the first to go through the FDA's formal review pathway. Under a 2009 law, the FDA was granted authority to evaluate tobacco products for their health risks and to clear ones that don't pose new or significant risks to the public health. The agency stressed that the decision on the products ``does not mean that they are safe or FDA approved.'' Still, the news is likely to encourage research and development efforts by tobacco companies, which are looking for new products to sell as cigarette demand falls due to tax increases, health concerns, smoking
bans and social stigma. Swedish Match's new smokeless pouches are unlikely to cause people to begin using tobacco, or to discourage existing tobacco users from quitting, according to the FDA's review. The Stockholm, Sweden-based company has filed a separate FDA application seeking permission to market its snus as less hazardous than cigarettes and some
other tobacco products. That application is still under review by the agency, according to an FDA spokesman. The newly-cleared snus will be sold under Swedish Match's General brand. The company also sells Longhorn and Timber Wolf brand snus. Swedish Match has U.S. operations headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. -AP
Realty Tidbits
Indiabulls Housing to buy 40% UK bank NEW DELHI: Indiabulls Housing Finance has said it will acquire a 39.76 per cent stake in the UK's OakNorth Bank for USD 100 million (about Rs 661 crore). The company said the acquisition will help it chart a roadmap to a deposit-taking franchise. "Pursuant to all applicable regulatory approvals from relevant regulators in lndia and the UK... Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd' is investing USD 100 million for 39.76 per cent stake in OakNorth Bank, a licensed UK commercial Bank... the company will be the largest shareholder in the bank," Indiabulls Housing Finance said in a regulatory filing. It further said: "Sameer Gehlaut, Chairman of the company, will be investing in his persona| capacity up to 10 per cent stake in OakNorth Bank at the same valuation." Indiabulls Housing Finance said the investment has been identified and approved by the Strategic Investment Committee for Liability Franchise Development headed by K C Chakrabarty, an independent director on the Board and ex-Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, specially constituted by the Board for the purpose of creating a practical roadmap to a deposit-taking franchise. It further said: "Investment in OakNorth Bank will benefit the company with a global platform for building its track record of a deposit franchise in a highly regulated market. -PTI
McDonald's won't pursue real estate trust
OAK BROOK, Ill.: McDonald's says it will not pursue spinning off its real estate assets. The world's largest hamburger chain, which is in the midst of a turnaround plan, had been considering forming a real estate investment trust partly because of the potential tax advantages it could provide. But Chief Administrative Officer Pete Bensen said during McDonald's investor meeting that any possible value that could have been created with the REIT was outweighed by ``significant financial and operational risks'' to the business and the ongoing progress of its turnaround. McDonald's Corp. also said that it is now looking to refranchise 4,000 restaurants, up from a prior target of 3,500 restaurants. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said this puts it in position to meet its new longer-term goal to be 95 percent franchised. Details on Page 39
Real Estate 36 India Post
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November 20, 2015
Nepal to construct 29 storey building KATHMANDU: Nepal laid the foundation stone for a 29-storey building in the capital city which will be the tallest structure in the country after construction. The Rs 7-billion Kathmandu View Tower will emerge at the Old Bus Park here and is expected to complete in three years. Details on Page 39
What happens to their reverse mortgage after your parents die? MARCIE GEFFNER
A
s more seniors turn to re verse mortgages, their adult children might well be puzzled or concerned about what will happen to that debt when one or both of their parents eventually dies. At that time, questions about how to pay off the loan will need to be resolved -- and relatively quickly. Loans are due when borrower dies Nearly all reverse mortgages today are home equity conversion mortgages, or HECMs, which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. HECMs are subject to certain rules that might not apply to non-HECMs. The first thing adult children should know about HECMs is that these reverse mortgages technically become due and payable when the borrower dies. The word "technically" is important because it's understood that a borrower's heirs can't possibly refinance or sell the home on the day of death to satisfy the debt, explains Beth Paterson, a certified reverse mortgage profes-
sional at Reverse Mortgages SIDAC, a division of Greenleaf Financial in St. Paul, Minnesota. A harsh letter Instead, what usually happens in practice is that the loan servicer sends out a letter that Paterson
to be harsh," Paterson says. "My conversation to the consumer is that communication is vital." Notice of demise Servicers use a number of resources to find out that a borrower has died. These include the Social
says might seem insensitive but is intended to inform the heirs of the rules and ascertain their intentions for the loan and property. "The servicing companies have had issues with people not notifying them and trying to stay in the home, so that's why it needs
Security death index, proprietary databases and annual occupancy letters that typically are sent to reverse mortgage borrowers. "If they don't get the letter of occupancy back or property taxes or insurance aren't paid, they start doing the next steps: contacting
an alternate contact, searching other records or sending someone out to inspect the property and see if someone is living in the house," Paterson says. Refi, sell or deed The borrower's heirs aren't required to sell the home to pay off the reverse mortgage, says Cara Pierce, a housing and reverse mortgage counselor at ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions in Fresno, California. But if heirs want to keep the home, they'll have to pay off the loan. "If they want to get a loan in their own name and pay off the reverse mortgage, they can," Pierce says. "But if they can't and there are no other assets, like life insurance, other property or a 401(k), that they could use to pay off the loan, they will have to sell the property." When heirs sell, they typically can choose their own real estate broker. The heirs manage the sale and keep any capital gain after the loan and closing costs have been Cont’d on page 38 paid.
'New FDI norms will boost housing' NEW DELHI: The real estate sector has hailed the government's decision to relax FDI norms for construction industry, saying the move would boost investment in the affordable housing segment. The government relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the construction sector by removing two major conditions related to 'minimum built up area' and capital requirement. This means that any project under construction, regardless of size, can have access to FDI. It also eased the rules for foreign investors to exit and repatriate their investments. "This is a very good decision. We expect that a lot of money will flow into the construction sector, which will boost the overall economy and provide jobs,"
realtors' apex body CREDAI president Getamber Anand told PTI. CREDAI's president sought
phase-wise development of trunk infrastructure. When contacted, DLF CEO
Getamber Anand
more clarity on the requirement of completion of trunk infrastructure for foreign investors to exit from their investments. He demanded that exit should be allowed for
Rajeev Talwar said this would be a "game changer" for the real estate sector, and improve liquidity of developers. "This is a very good package of economic reform which
will give huge boost to growth and employment," he said. Property consultant JLL India's chairman and country head Anuj Puri said, "The government has really liberalized the FDI rules for construction sector. This will bring a lot more excitement and interest from foreign equity players to invest into real estate for development of residential and commercial buildings." The removal of restriction on minimum development area will not only boost affordable housing but inner-city development, he added. "This will have a huge positive impact on the housing sector as a whole, but much more so on the affordable housing segment, which was so far not a beneficiary of FDI in any significant manner," he added. -PTI
November 20, 2015
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'Construction equipment Essel to build 2 lakh affordable homes industry to grow 6-fold NEW DELHI: The domestic construction equipment industry has the potential to grow over sixfold to $20 billion by 2022 and is poised to play a larger role in 'Make In India' drive, a CII official said.
infrastructure sector. "There is optimism in the industry. Highways sector is one area where a lot of initiatives have been taken to roll out stuck projects and there is a need to replicate it across various segments," Sondhi said.
"The construction equipment industry has the potential to grow to $20 billion by 2022 from the present market share of about USD 2.9 billion on the back of infrastructure growth," CII senior executive JCB India MD & CEO Vipin Sondhi told PTI. Sondhi said with the proactive measures by the government, especially in the road transport and highways sector, were bound to bolster economic activities in the
With stranded projects moving now in the sector, the industry is hopeful that similar steps would be taken in other areas, he said, adding measures were needed to address the bottlenecks faced by projects at the centre as well as states. As far as the land is concerned the government could set up a Land Bank Corporation with the land available with the Railways, Defense, Ports, PSUs etc and uti-
lize it. "CII believes that if the government offers projects with necessary clearances and other due diligence not only the industry would benefit but the country would tremendously benefit as India has huge growth opportunities unlike China, Brazil, Russia and Europe," he said. Sondhi who is also Chairman, EXCON, which is the international construction equipment and construction technology trade fair, said the exhibition to be organized in Bangalore later this month is bound to catch the fancy of international players who have shown enthusiasm in participating in it. The focus of the event from November 25 to 29 is 'Make in India- Building Infrastructure, Building the Nation' and the number of exhibitors have grown 10.5 per cent to 808 this year, he said. The CII expects 32,000 specialized visitors including representatives from foreign players, PSUs, various government Ministries like Defense, Railways, Highways and Shipping and contractors and developers. -PTI
Dubai players bullish about Indian investment DUBAI: Leading real estate players in the Middle East are bullish about Indians continuing as the most prolific foreign investors in the sector in the coming months too, as official statistics show that Indians have invested over Rs 30,000 crore last year alone here in properties. Real estate investors from India have shown a marked preference for properties in Dubai owing to the close proximity of the UAE to India. Indians were the most prolific overseas investors in Dubais realty market in 2015, clocking 3,017 transactions valued at more than USD 2 billion. "Indians accord a secondhome status to Dubai and they are coming there in huge numbers to live, work and invest with a long-term perspective. Lower interest rates, lucrative yearly rental yield, security, tax-free returns on
investments and attractive payment options are additional triggers for driving them in huge numbers," said Ranjeet Chavan,
Lower interest rates, lucrative yearly rental yield, security, tax-free returns on investments and attractive payment options are additional triggers Director of SPF Realty, on the emergence of Dubai as a prime investment destination for Indians. Commenting on the hassle-free procedures offered by the Dubai
realty market, Director of SPF Realty Kalpesh Sampat said, "The key advantages offered by the Dubai property markets vis-Ă -vis investment in Indian properties lies in the fact that they do not have to deal with complicated sections and provisions related to the Income tax and have hasslefree purchase procedures in Dubai." "Quick transaction procedures ensure that Indian investors get their money as a seller in 10 days (cash) or 45 days in case of a mortgage," he added. According to the official data, Indians have emerged the top foreign property investors in Dubai, investing over Rs 30,000 crore last year alone. SPF Realty is engaged in providing holistic property- related solutions and is a leading real estate broker in the freehold property sector of Dubai. -PTI
NEW DELHI: Diversified business group Essel has announced its foray into the affordable housing segment with plans to develop 10,000 homes next year entailing an investment of Rs 800 crore. The Subhash Chandra-promoted group is targeting to build 2 lakh homes across the country by 2022 in line with the government's vision of 'Housing For All' by 2022. Essel Group already has presence in the real estate sector through Suncity Projects (P) Ltd. Chandra said the first project will be launched next month in
The affordable homes would be launched under the brand name 'ASHA (affordable shelter housing for all) 2022'. The project cost for 10,000 homes would be Rs 800 crore and the same would be funded through internal accruals and advances from customers against sales, the company said. Chandra said, the group will ramp up the construction capacity every year and meet its target of 2 lakh flats by 2022 with focus on fast construction, less margins and timely delivery. Essel Group is in talks with a
Panchkula, Haryana at about Rs 1,500 per sq ft. The starting price of a flat will be Rs 15 lakh. Besides, the company plans to develop affordable homes in Hisar, Bahadurgarh and Rohtak in the first phase. "We are entering into the affordable housing as there is a huge demand in this segment. We will develop 10,000 affordable homes in 2016 and the target is to construct 2 lakh homes by 2022," Chandra told reporters here.
Japanese construction company for developing these projects. "We will be tying up with a Japanese construction firm in the next 2-3 weeks," Chandra said without disclosing details. The group would develop these projects through dedicated special purpose vehicles (SPVs) for each state. For Haryana, the group has shortlisted a partner and it is looking for entrepreneurs for other states like Uttar Pradesh. -PTI
What happens to their reverse mortgage after your parents die? Cont’d from page 36
The borrower's personal belongings and furnishings can be removed. Fixtures, as defined by state law, can't. A tenant living in the property might have certain rights and protections under state law. Spousal rights If the borrower was married, the surviving spouse might be able to remain in the home even if he or she wasn't a co-borrower, according to Sarah Mancini, an attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, a nonprofit advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. That's important, Mancini ex-
plains, because some borrowers remove a younger spouse from their home's title to secure a larger reverse mortgage, leaving that younger spouse vulnerable to eviction and foreclosure after the older spouse's death. The rules that affect surviving non-borrower spouses are complicated, and surviving spouses and heirs may need to consult an attorney to interpret their rights and options if the spouse wants to continue occupying the property. "There are serious legal issues," Mancini says, "and possible grounds for a legal challenge if the lender forecloses while there is still a surviving spouse." -Courtesy Bankrate.com
November 20, 2015
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India Post 39
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McDonald's won't pursue real estate trust OAK BROOK, Ill.: McDonald's says it will not pursue spinning off its real estate assets. The world's largest hamburger chain, which is in the midst of a turnaround plan, had been considering forming a real estate investment trust partly because of the potential tax advantages it could provide. But Chief Administrative Officer Pete Bensen said during McDonald's investor meeting that any possible value that could have been created with the REIT was outweighed by ``significant financial and operational risks'' to the business and the ongoing progress of its turnaround. McDonald's Corp. also said that it is now looking to refranchise 4,000 restaurants, up from a prior target of 3,500 restaurants. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said this puts it in position to meet its new longer-term goal to
Nepal to construct 29 storey building KATHMANDU: Nepal laid the foundation stone for a 29-storey building in the capital city which will be the tallest structure in the country after construction. The Rs 7-billion Kathmandu View Tower will emerge at the Old Bus Park here and is expected to complete in three years. Nepal, which was hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in April killing nearly 9,000 people, lost thousands of buildings and historical monuments including the tallest 215feet Dharahara built 200 years ago by Nepal's first Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa. Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun laid the foundation stone for constructing the Tower, is a public-private partnership (PPP) venture being constructed by the Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation and Jaleshwor Swachchhanda Bkoi Builders. Pun said at the function: "Constructing different-purpose buildings like residence, business buildings, among others, in order to manage the increasing population of Kathmandu Valley has become a big challenge." Multi-purpose building could be an alternative to this, he added. On the occasion, the Vice President expressed hope that the government would take initiative to settle the problem seen in course of the Constitution-writing through political and diplomatic means. Likewise, State Minister for Local Development and Federal Affairs, Kunti Kumari Shahi, urged the bodies concerned to abide by building code and criteria. Chairman of the construction company, Manoj Kumar Bhetwal, said the tower would be a modern building that will blend international standard and Nepal's traditional craft. After completion, this would be the tallest structure in Nepal. -PTI
be 95 percent franchised. McDonald's is making a number of changes in the U.S. that it hopes will set the stage for a turnaround. Tweaks to food preparation included toasting buns longer and searing burgers to make them juicier. For its Egg McMuffins, the company switched back to butter and regular English muffins, instead of margarine and whole grain muffins. A new buttermilk chicken sandwich, which is positioned as a premium offering, is supposed to boost perceptions about food quality - and help fetch a little more money. The company has also been simplifying its menu to speed up service and improve order accuracy.
The company also said that its board approved a 5 percent increase in its dividend. McDonald's will pay a quarterly dividend of 89 cents on Dec. 15 to shareholders of record Dec. 1. The dividend increase is part of McDonald's plan to return more cash to shareholders. That total is now at $30 billion for the three years ending in 2016, up $10 billion from its prior target. The company said it will use debt to fund the ``vast majority'' of the increase. Standard & Poor's downgraded its credit rating on McDonald's by one notch to ``BBB+,'' saying the company's credit metrics are ``measurably worse.''-AP
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he city of Bodhgaya, located in the state of Bihar, is famous for its relationship with Gautam Buddha. It is the place where the wandering prince Siddhartha sat in meditation below a Bodhi Tree. His three days of initial meditation and subsequent seven weeks during which he obtained Enlightenment have been closely associated with various places in Bodh Gaya. History remembers Bodh Gaya as Bodhimanda and the main monastery as the Bodhimanda-vihara (Pali). Being one of the four most important sites related to the life of Gautama (Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath complete the quadrate). The present city is a historians', tourists' and religious minded people's delight and is replete with numerous places and monuments that have a direct bond with the Enlightened Prince.
www.indiapost.com The area remained the hotbed for Buddhism up to the 13th century till it was conquered by the Turks. The city complete with the pilgrimage sites is beautifully situated on the shores of the broad but shallow Lilanjan River (also known as Neranjara). After crossing Bodh Gaya, the river joins Mohana River and forms Phalgu River which is considered sacred. Amongst the hustle of the city also stand proudly the shrines dedicated to the Buddha by various countries like China, Japan, Bangladesh, Vietnam etc. The river surrounding hills and caves and the history of the city
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itself make it a must visit place for any nature and peace lover who is planning to book tour package in Bihar. Tourist Attractions Ajapala Nigrodha Tree: Bodh Gaya is replete with places which have been purified with the presence of Buddha himself. The Ajapala Nigrodha tree is one such location. It is believed that a shepherd boy planted this tree to protect the Lord. Cont’d on page 42
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Etihad Airways' luxe offering at Abu Dhabi PREETI VERMA LAL
P
icture this. It is an airport but you can get a complimentary wet shave by a fully-qualified barber. Before you step out,
T1 Lounge Reception
the overnight stubble is gone. You look at the creased shirt and sure do not want to walk unkempt into a meeting. It is an airport but you can get your clothes steamed in 10 minutes while you scrub the travel fatigue off in the shower. You are hungry after a long flight and here you can dig your fork into flavors from across the world. In the Etihad Airways' Arrival Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport all this is possible. And much more. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has enhanced its luxe traveler experience with its first Arrivals Lounge at Abu Dhabi. Etihad Premium Lounges are located in Terminal 3 close to gate 35 and in Ter-
minal 1 beside the Al Reem lounge after guest's clear security. The Arrivals Lounge is for the exclusive use of the airline's First and Business Class guests. At the lounge, there is a dedicated area to freshen-up before leaving the airport, with 10 shower units and complimentary service for clothes steaming. Add to it the innovative new 'SHAVE by Etihad Airways' concept wherein guests are offered a complimentary refreshing wet shave by fully-qualified barbers. There's a relaxation area, with high-comfort seating, large screen televisions, and an array of newspapers, magazines and
books. CafĂŠ style refreshments are served throughout the day, including a delicious breakfast offering in the morning, hot and cold beverages, and a delectable range of canapĂŠs, snacks and sweet treats, all freshly prepared by a culinary team and inspired by gourmet flavors from around the world. Says Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, "Our latest airport lounge is a milestone for Etihad Airways and has been launched following extensive market research into the requirements of our First and Business Class guests. This facility, the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, has been specifically designed to meet their needs. We have benchmarked ourselves against some of the world's leading hotels and restaurants, while placing the warmth of Arabian hospitality at the heart of the experience."
T1 Lounge 2
Incredible India attracts 6.80 lakh foreign tourists NEW DELHI: The 'Incredible India' campaign attracted 6.80 lakh foreign tourists in October this year as against 6.68 lakh in the
same month last year, thus registering a growth of 1.7 per cent. However, there was a decline in foreign exchange earnings in Oc-
tober, according to Tourism Ministry data. Forex earnings from tourism in October were Rs 9,611 crore as compared to Rs 10,041 crore in October 2014, a decline of 4.3 per cent, it said. The maximum number of tourists who visited India during this time came from Bangladesh (15.22 per cent), followed by USA (12.99 per cent), UK (11.31 per cent), Sri Lanka (3.69 per cent), Germany (3.62 per cent), Canada (3.58 per cent) and Australia (3.37 per cent). A total 62.88 lakh foreign tourists visited India during JanuaryOctober 2015 as against 60.28 lakh in the same period last year, registering an increase of 4.3 per cent, the data added. -PTI
Etihad Airways Arrivals Lounge 3
Google Maps offers an offline option NEW YORK: Google Maps is getting disconnected. With an update for Android phones, you'll be able to search nearby businesses and get driving directions, including turn-byturn voice prompts, even if your Internet connection is spotty or non-existent. Google says a version for iPhones will come soon. The feature is ideal if you're trying to leave an underground parking garage or a remote national park. It's also great if you're traveling abroad and want to conserve
With the new version, you'll be able to do most of what you can do now. You'll need to download databases ahead of time, preferably when you have a Wi-Fi connection. To do so, start by searching for a location, such as a city. Then pinch in or out to select what area you want to download. Larger areas will give you more flexibility for navigation, but they also take up more storage. As you change your selection, you're told how large the file is and how much stor-
on expensive data plans. Google is also targeting users in emerging markets, where cellular speeds are slower and prices are higher relative to typical incomes. Mapping apps included with Windows phones have long had this feature, but Windows has a tiny market share compared with iPhones and Android. Offline mapping is also available with some third-party apps, including Nokia's Here. Google Maps has had a limited offline feature. It lets you save a small region ahead of time, but it's the equivalent of displaying a paper map in a phone app. You can't use it for navigation and other tasks we've come to expect in digital maps.
age on the phone you have left. Once you download an area, Google will periodically refresh the data with new businesses and road changes. By default, that's done only when you're on Wi-Fi. What you won't get with offline mapping is traffic information. Once you're back online, Google Maps might suggest a detour if there's unusual backup ahead. You also won't get photos and user reviews for businesses. But you do get contact information, hours and an overall user rating. For directions, the feature initially works only with driving. It's not yet available for walking, biking or public transit - so you might still be stuck in subway stations. AP
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www.indiapost.com Cont’d from page 40
Gautama is supposed to have spent the entire duration of the fifth week practicing meditation under this tree. Great Buddha Statue: The main Bodhi Shrine is surrounded by numerous religious and spiritual monuments and institutes. The Great Buddha statue standing tall at a height of 80 ft is one such attraction which pulls the visitors toward it with its overpowering presence and towering aura. Arguably the tallest Buddha statue in the country, it was inaugurated on 18 Nov 1989 by the XIVth Dalai Lama. Rajayatna Tree: The Bodhi
Temple complex is sure to puzzle any visitor with its wide assortment of locations which are sacred and important due to their direct association with the Buddha. The Rajayatna tree situated to the south-east of the temple is the one such location where the Buddha spent the seventh, and incidentally the last, week of meditation. The Bodhi Tree: It is said that when the Lord touches simple things they attain permanent fame and longevity. The Bodhi tree which shielded the Lord and helped him attain his goal has been immortalized and is believed to have fathered similar trees across the globe. First seven days of enlightenment saw the Buddha meditate below this tree. Muchalinda Lake: Buddha is also believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and it is at the Lake Muchalinda that the Shesh Naga or the Snake King Muchalinda protected his Lord from a severe thunder storm. The Buddha was meditating near the Lake during the sixth week when a strong storm broke out and the Lake waves started lashing the Buddha. Sensing the discomfort of the Lord the Snake King decided to protect him from the storm. Animesh Lochana Chaitya: Buddha did not achieve Enlightenment at once but had to complete a long cycle of meditation and association. Various object
BODH GAYA Famous abode of Gautama Buddha's Enlightenment
d'art associated with this process remind us of the great soul. The Animesh Lochana (open eyes) Chaitya shrine is one such location where the Buddha, spent seven days (the second week of
enlightenment) looking at the Bodhi tree. Cankamana: One of the pathways which were utilized by Bud-
beautiful Buddha temple in the vicinity of the Bodhi temple complex. As is the case with other foreign Buddha temples in the area, the temple exteriors reflect rich Chinese architecture and have been liberally decorated with typical Chinese designs. Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple: An outstanding example of Japanese architecture and deep rooted Buddhist preaching, the Indosan Nippon Japanese temple is situated at a distance of 15 km from the town of Bodh Gaya. The temple itself has been carved out from wood and resembles a typical Japanese shrine. Ratnaghara: The seven weeks of meditation, which Gautama undertook to become Buddha, were dedicated at different locations and one such location is the Ratnaghara. It is believed that during one of the seven weeks, Lord Brahma and Lord Indra created a luxurious hall studded with seven precious elements for the Buddha to meditate. The Buddha was seen radiating lights of five colors
Muchalinda Lake
dha during the third week of enlightenment, for the purpose of meditation is the Cankamana. Mahabodhi Temple: The main attraction of Bodh Gaya is the Mahabodhi Temple which was constructed around the original Bodhi Tree which sheltered the Buddha. Though the temple was constructed in 7th century AD, it has been repeatedly repaired and renovated, the last being in late 19th century by the Burmese King and the Archeological Survey of India. This Main Temple is shaped like the original stupa constructed by King Ashoka. Chinese Temple: The Chinese Buddhist monks have erected a
through his meditating body and illuminating the nearby Bodhi tree. Royal Bhutan Monastery: The Royal Bhutan Monastery
Royal Bhutan Monastery was constructed by the King of Bhutan as a mark of respect to the Lord. Thai Monastery: Amongst the hustle of foreign monasteries and temples, stands out the Thai Mon-
temple, it has all the advantages of science with it and has been exquisitely constructed with serene surroundings and beautiful vicinity. Best time to visit Bodh Gaya: Best season to visit Bodh Gaya is from October to March. How to reach By Train: Gaya Junction is the nearest railhead, which is 13 km away from Bodh Gaya. Gaya junction is connected to major cities in the State by rail. By Air: The Airport in Gaya is about 13 km away from city center. Kolkata is the major Airport available nearby, which is about 485 km away.
By Bus: BSTDC runs regular astery, for its unique appearance as well as the beautiful surround- buses from Patna to Bodh Gaya. It ings. The Thai Temple is adorned is connected to Gaya, Nalanda, with sloping and curved roof Patna, Varanasi and Rajgir. Taxis which has been covered with and luxury buses connect Bodh golden tiles. The exterior is exquis- Gaya with Kolkata. ite and is not to be missed. Vietnamese Temple: Buddhism had reached VietBuddha statue in nam very early and Bodhgaya was eagerly adopted by its people. The Government of Vietnam decided to dedicate a temple to the Lord and recently (in 2002) the Vietnamese temple was constructed near the Maha Bodhi temple complex. Being the most recent the
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SeaWorld ends show of tricks by whales SAN DIEGO: Animal rights activists applauded SeaWorld's plans to end its orca shows at its San Diego Park but said the company should phase out its captivity of killer whales altogether. SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. has announced that it will end orca shows at its San Diego Park after visitors at the tourist attraction made it clear they prefer seeing killer whales act naturally rather than doing tricks. CEO Joel Manby told investors the park - where the iconic ``Shamu'' show featuring killer whales doing flips and other stunts debuted decades ago - will offer a different kind of orca experience focusing on the animal's natural setting and behaviors, starting in 2017. California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, who plans to introduce federal legislation to end captive orca breeding, said ending the shows is a good first step but doesn't go far enough. ``The fact still remains that as long as SeaWorld holds orcas in captivity, the physical and psychological problems associated with
their captivity will persist,'' he said. The Orlando, Florida-based company has seen revenue drop since the 2013 release of the documentary ``Blackfish'' that examined how orcas respond to captivity. It chronicles the case of Tilikum, a killer whale that caused the death
SeaWorld Orlando. Attendance has dropped the most at the San Diego location, and the decision to end orca shows will be limited for now to that park, the original home of Shamu, its first orca. The shows will continue at the
Orcas leap out of their tank at SeaWorld.
of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010 by pulling her into a pool at
other two SeaWorld parks in San Antonio and Orlando.
The killer whale shows at the Shamu stadium in San Diego were the park's main draw in the 1970s and helped build SeaWorld as a top tourist attraction. Trainers would ride the whales in the giant pool before getting out and signaling for the orca to slap its tail in the water to splash spectators in a ``splash zone.'' After Brancheau's death, trainers stopped going in the water during the shows, but they continue to swim with the killer whales while training them. Manby told investors that California customers want to see less theatrical production, so the new attraction will have a strong conservation message. ``They want the orca experience to be activities the whales do in the wild,'' Manby said. ``Things they perceive as tricks, they don't like as well.'' However, that's not ``universal across our properties,'' he added. The news came days after SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. reported its third-quarter earnings missed Wall Street expectations. SeaWorld earlier this year an-
nounced plans for a $100 million expansion of the killer whale tanks in San Diego to boost attendance, but the California Coastal Commission made approval of the project, dubbed ``Blue World,'' contingent on SeaWorld agreeing not to breed, transfer or sell any of its captive orcas at the park. Manby called the ruling which SeaWorld plans to fight in court - a bad precedent for not only SeaWorld but all zoos and aquariums. He indicated to investors that the company might shelve the San Diego project. ``We certainly know with the regulatory environment out there that happened with orcas, and some of what happened in California, with the reputation out there, I think we would be foolish if we didn't look at other options,'' Manby said. He announced that the company is considering adding hotels at its parks, starting with San Diego, to attract overnight visitors. SeaWorld has reached an agreement with a hotel developer to embark on the exploratory phase. -AP
National Park supporters to Filmmaker Ken Burns deliver petitions to lawmakers to lead Rose Parade BANGOR, Maine: Supporters of a North Woods National park funded by a founder of Burt's Bees are delivering a petition signed by more than 13,000 people to Maine's congressional delegation, they said. Gail Fanjoy, president of the
forest products jobs as possible, but we also need economic diversification - which a national park can provide,'' she said. Last year, the Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce board endorsed the proposal for a national park and recreation area on up to
Gail Fanjoy (center), the president of the Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks during a press conference in Bangor. Fanjoy said that over 13,500 signatures were gathered in support of the proposed national park in Maine.
Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce, said the region needs help after the closing of mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket. Also, the Old Town mill is to close in December, and the Lincoln Paper mill has filed for bankruptcy protection, she noted. ``We absolutely will continue to work hard to maintain as many
150,000 acres east of Baxter State Park. The total donation by Burt's Bees founder Roxanne Quimby, including the land and $40 million for an endowment to support the park, is valued at $100 million. Quimby wants to make the donation next year during the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
Creation of a national park would require an act of Congress. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, who represents the southern 1st Congressional District, supports the park proposal. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King haven't ruled out backing a park proposal if there's local support. There was no immediate comment from the office of Rep. Bruce Poliquin, who represents the 2nd District. Collins and King continue to focus on ``the economic well-being and future of the Katahdin region and the people who call it home, and they will continue to gather and consider input from a variety of interested parties on the national park proposal, including the petitioners from Maine,'' they said. Ken Olson, retired leader Friends of Acadia, said Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and the Bigelow Preserve all faced opposition as well. ``Supporters of this new National Park and National Recreation Area are on the right side of history. If this opportunity is seized, economic and other benefits will start flowing into a region that desperately needs this kind of investment,'' Olson said in a statement. AP
PASADENA, Calif.: Documen- America.'' tary filmmaker Ken Burns, known Burns, 62, has received 14 for long-form explorations of all- Emmy Awards for his work on PBS American subjects such as the documentaries such as ``The Civil War and baseball, has been Dust Bowl,'' `'Prohibition'' and named as grand marshal of the ``Mark Twain.'' His latest, ``The 2016 Rose Parade. The announcement was made as the Tournament of Roses prepares for the 126th edition of the annual floral spectacle on New Year's Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns attends a PBS screening of his film "Cancer: The Emperor of Day. The All Maladies" in New York. theme of the Pasadena parade is ``Find Your Adven- Roosevelts: An Intimate History,'' ture.'' aired for 14 hours. ``I've never been to the parade PBS broadcast a newly rein person, so this will be a new stored version of Burns' ``The adventure for me,'' Burns said in Civil War'' in the fall, 25 years afa statement. ter its debut. Tournament president Mike The series proved a blockMatthiessen called Burns a leg- buster when it debuted in 1990, endary figure ``who has devoted drawing an audience of nearly 39 his life to telling the story of million viewers. -AP
In Brief Protesters rally during GOP debate MILWAUKEE: Hundreds of protesters have rallied in downtown Milwaukee during the Republican presidential debate. The rally brought together activists for a variety of causes - immigrant rights, civil rights, a living wage and more. Protesters gathered at Milwaukee's City Hall to hear speeches from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore and others, before marching to nearby Milwaukee Theatre, where GOP candidates were debating. The rally and march were peaceful. Speakers criticized Republican candidates for being insensitive to their issues. ``Hey, hey, ho, ho, the GOP has got to go,'' was among the chants. Nate Hamilton, whose brother Dontre was killed in a confrontation with a Milwaukee police officer, addressed the crowd, saying if political leaders don't care about protesters, then it would be up to protesters to ``make them care.'' -AP
„ Nevada applauds ruling against Obama plan CARSON CITY, Nev.: Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt says he's encouraged that a federal appeals court ruled against a presidential order on immigration. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld a Texas-based judge's injunction blocking the Obama administration's immigration initiative, which aims to protect about
Adam Laxalt
5 million people from deportation. Nevada is one of 26 states that sued to block the executive order. Laxalt signed Nevada onto the suit early this year without prior consent from Gov. Brian Sandoval in a move that exposed a rift between the two Republicans. Laxalt said that the court's 2-1 ruling affirms the Constitution and illustrates that everyone including the president needs to follow the law. Nevada Democratic Rep. Dina Titus criticized the decision, saying it continues a politically motivated lawsuit. -AP
Immigration
Immigrant Tucson woman allowed to stay in US
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Details on page 45
Obama appeals to Supreme Court to save his immigration plan WASHINGTON: The Obama administration will ask the Supreme Court to save the president's plan to shield as many as 5 million immigrants living in the country illegally from deportation, after lower courts blocked it. A federal appeals court in New Orleans upheld a Texas-based federal judge's injunction against President Barack Obama's plan. Obama has issued executive orders to protect from deportation parents whose children are citizens or legal permanent residents, along with other immigrants who came to the country illegally as children. The Justice Department said it disagrees with the 2-1 ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and would appeal to the high court. Republicans have criticized the plan as illegal executive overreach since Obama announced it last November. Twenty-six states challenged the plan in court. The administration argued that the executive branch was within
its rights in deciding to defer deportation of selected groups of immigrants, including children who were brought to the U.S. illegally. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised the ruling. ``President Obama should abandon his lawless executive amnesty program and start enforcing the
``We strongly disagree with the 5th Circuit's decision,'' the White House said in a statement. ``The Supreme Court and Congress have made clear that the federal government can set priorities in enforcing our immigration laws.'' The ruling further dims prospects of implementation of the executive action before Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about immigration at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas.
law today,'' Abbott said in a news release.
leaves office in 2017. Appeals over the injunction could take months
and, depending on how the case unfolds, it could go back to the Texas federal court for more proceedings. Justice Department spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement that the department ``remains committed to taking steps that will resolve the immigration litigation as quickly as possible'' so that the Department of Homeland Security can prioritize ``the removal of the worst offenders, not people who have long ties to the United States and who are raising American children.'' Part of the initiative included expansion of a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, protecting young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The other major part, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, would extend deportation protections to parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been in the country for years. Cont'd on Page 46
GOP candidates debate seriously on immigration MILWAUKEE: The fourth Republican debate of the 2016 presidential election had the distinct feel of, well, a real debate. After Republicans widely panned the moderators at the previous debate for creating a circus-like atmosphere, the candidates - eight, the smallest group yet - had far deeper discussions about their policy plans, particularly on taxes, military spending and immigration. Taking the stage in Milwaukee were celebrity businessman Donald Trump and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, the leaders of most recent polls, and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. As he has in other recent debates, Trump seemed to fade
from the spotlight at times. He also seemed to embrace a role as a referee of sorts, complaining that Kasich was taking too much time from Bush and exclaiming about Fiorina, ``Why does she keep interrupting?'' Here are some other takeaways from the Milwaukee matchup. A SPLIT ON WHAT TO DO
ABOUT IMMIGRATION This debate showcased a significant policy debate within the Republican Party when it comes to immigration. Trump and Cruz advocated vociferously for deporting an estimated 11 million immigrants who are in the country illegally, while Kasich and Bush called that impractical. Cruz said Republicans will lose
Ben Carson and Donald Trump
the presidential race if they offer ``amnesty'' to illegal immigrants. ``We can embrace legal immigration while believing in the rule of law,'' he said. Earlier, Trump had reiterated his promise to build a secure wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. ``We are a country of laws,'' he said. ``We need borders. We will build a wall.'' While a popular position with some of the most conservative Republican primary voters, Kasich and Bush argued that's not a practical position for the GOP nominee to take into the general election next November. ``For the 11 million people, c'mon folks. We all know you can't pick them up and ship them across the border,'' Kasich said a line that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. Cont'd on Page 46
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Rubio, Cruz in fight to reshape their records WASHINGTON: Republican presidential rivals Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are backpedaling furiously as they try to outmaneuver each other on immigration. Rubio co-wrote a massive 2013 immigration bill that passed the Senate. He disavows it now, but Cruz won't stop talking about it. Cruz opposed the bill, but he offered amendments to massively increase legal immigration. Now he says that's not a good idea after all, but Rubio won't let him off the hook. Both senators are maneuvering to appeal to conservative GOP presidential primary voters in a campaign shadowed by Donald Trump, who wants to deport all 11.5 million immigrants in this country illegally. Trump's hard-line stance has pushed the entire GOP field to the right and may create problems for the eventual GOP nominee facing a more diverse general election electorate. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush pointed to that possibility in GOP debate when he said that Hillary Rodham Clinton's Democratic campaign would be doing high-fives at such talk. Cruz recently did a complete about-face on one of his long-held
immigration stances, telling conservative talk host Laura Ingraham when asked whether he would increase the numbers of legal immigrants to the U.S.: "I don't believe that's a good idea." But during the Senate immigration debate two years ago the
immigration "a pillar of our nation's heritage and strength" and introduced amendments to double the cap on legal immigration and increase the number of high-skilled immigrant visas by 500 percent. Cruz also proposed an amendment to eliminate the path to citi-
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, accompanied by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Texas senator was an outspoken advocate for increasing legal immigration, particularly for highly skilled immigrants. He called legal
zenship in the Senate bill, allowing immigrants in the country illegally to end up with legal status short of citizenship instead.
Rubio highlighted those stances in a campaign appearance in South Carolina, saying: "Ted is a supporter of legalizing people that are in this country illegally. ... If you look at it, I don't think our positions are dramatically different." Brian Phillips, Cruz's rapid response director, disputed that over Twitter, arguing in a series of tweets that Cruz was not seeking to support legal status for immigrants in the country illegally, only to oppose citizenship. "For the 1000th time, his amdt had nothing to do with legalization. He intentionally focused on citizenship only ... to illustrate that Dems weren't serious about passing real reform." For his part, Cruz sought to use his appearance on Ingraham's show to highlight Rubio's role authoring the Senate immigration bill with its divisive path to citizenship for many of the immigrants in this country illegally. The legislation passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote in 2013 but ended up dying in the House, and President Barack Obama ultimately addressed the issue through executive actions now tied up in court. When asked about Rubio, Cruz said, "You know where some-
one is based on their actions, as the Scripture says, you shall know them by their fruits," Speaking of Rubio and the other authors of the Senate bill, Cruz also said, "They fought tooth and nail to try to jam this amnesty down the American people's throat over and over and over again." Rubio now says that a single, comprehensive immigration bill is not the way to go and he would not address the status of the people in this country illegally before securing the border and remaking the legal immigration system. Ultimately he would still allow people here illegally to qualify for citizenship, but only after 15 years. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, appearing separately on Ingraham's show, also discussed the 2013 Senate immigration bill. He contended that Rubio had struck a "secret deal" with another author of the bill, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, to block any conservative amendments to their legislation. In fact, the deal among all eight bipartisan authors of the bill to vote as a group to defeat troublesome amendments was well known at the time and not a secret. -AP
Immigrant Tucson woman allowed to stay in US TUCSON, Ariz.: An immigrant woman who has spent the past 15 months living in a small Tucson church to avoid deportation is going back to her home in Arizona and will be allowed to remain in this country, her lawyer said. Rosa Robles Loreto will stay in the U.S. under an agreement that will be kept confidential, said her attorney, Margo Cowan, refusing to release details. Robles Loreto, 42, was the last remaining immigrant to live in a
church during a year that saw an active sanctuary movement. Immigrants looking to avoid deportation also sought refuge in Portland, Oregon, Denver, Austin, Texas, and Phoenix. There is no rule under federal law that prohibits agents from arresting immigrants in a church, but it's a practice the government generally avoids. At a ceremony to mark her departure from Southside Presbyterian Church, an emotional Robles
Rosa Robles Loreto sits in her small room at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz., where she had taken sanctuary from deportation.
Loreto said that she is elated and will keep fighting for immigrant rights. ``There is a great struggle for many people who are in my same situation,'' she said. The Rev. Alison Harrington, who heads Southside Presbyterian, said wide community support helped Robles Loreto during the 462 days she spent at the church. Tens of thousands of signs with a portrait of Robles Loreto, her husband and two sons were posted on lawns and on business windows around Tucson. City and county leaders, congressional delegates and even celebrity Linda Ronstadt also lent their support. ``Courage is fear that has said its prayers and we are a courageous community that has said its prayers,'' Harrington said. Robles Loreto was pulled over for a traffic infraction five years ago and turned over to the Border Patrol. Her attorney sought leniency and a stay of deportation to no avail before Robles Loreto sought sanctuary at the church. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement announced earlier this year that Robles Loreto was not a priority for de-
portation, but her attorney said it was still unsafe for her to leave the church. Sarah Launius, a spokeswoman for Robles Loreto, said, ``We will pursue any additional avenues that are in Rosa's best interest, and we know today that she is completely safe to leave the church and return to a more typical life.'' Robles Loreto's case is unique in that her entire family is living in the U.S. illegally. The government has granted
leniency to immigrants whose children are U.S. citizens as part of President Barack Obama's policy to try to keep families together. But families such as Robles Loreto's have been left out even though her two boys have lived in the U.S. their entire lives after being born in Mexico. The boys could have benefited from an expansion of a program that aims to protect youths from deportation after they are brought to the U.S. illegally as children. -AP
PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law
Former Assistant StateÂ’s Attorney
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Immigration Post
46 India Post
November 20, 2015
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Obama appeals to Supreme Court to save his immigration plan Cont'd from Page 44
The 70-page majority opinion by Judge Jerry Smith, joined by Jennifer Walker Elrod, rejected administration arguments that the district judge abused his discretion with a nationwide order and that the states lacked standing to challenge Obama's executive orders. They acknowledged an argument that an adverse ruling would discourage potential beneficiaries of the plan from cooperating with law enforcement authorities or paying taxes. ``But those are burdens that Congress knowingly created, and it is not our place to second-guess those decisions,'' Smith wrote. In a 53-page dissent, Judge Carolyn Dineen King said the administration was within the law, casting the decision to defer action on some deportations as ``quintessential exercises of prosecutorial discretion,'' and noting that the Department of Homeland Security has limited resources. ``Although there are approximately 11.3 million removable aliens in this country today, for the last several years Congress has provided the Department of Homeland Security with only enough resources to remove approxi-
mately 400,000 of those aliens per year,'' King wrote. Promises by Clinton The ruling leaves in limbo the future of the program, called the Deferred Action for Parents and Americans, and promises by Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton to go further than Obama to protect
The future of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally has been debated by Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. Earlier this month Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said if elected he would eventually end Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which protects from deportation immigrants brought to the country illegally as
In a 53-page dissent, Judge Carolyn Dineen King said the administration was within the law, casting the decision to defer action on some deportations as ``quintessential exercises of prosecutorial discretion,'' and noting that the Department of Homeland Security has limited resources. large groups of immigrants from deportation. Clinton promised in May to expand Obama's executive actions if Congress does not overhaul U.S. immigration laws. In October she also pledged to be ``less harsh and aggressive'' than Obama in enforcing immigration laws. Clinton said she hopes the case gets a quick and fair hearing ``so that the millions who are affected can stop living in fear of their families being broken apart.''
children. DACA, as the program is known, was seen as an administrative answer to the DREAM Act, legislation once supported by Rubio that would provide legal status to those young immigrants. To date, more than 720,000 young immigrants have been granted permission to live and work legally in the United States. That program is not affected by the appeals court ruling. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the case was
ultimately about the administration's authority to decide how to use its limited resources in immigration enforcement. ``We obviously continue to believe strongly in the legal power of the arguments that we have been making for nearly a year ... about the importance of giving our law enforcement officials the discretion to implement our immigration laws in a way that focuses on those who pose a genuine threat to our national security or to our communities,'' Earnest said. The court's 70-page ruling rejected administration arguments that the district court had abused its discretion with a nationwide order and that the states lacked standing to challenge Obama's executive orders. It acknowledged that an adverse ruling would discourage potential beneficiaries of DAPA from cooperating with law enforcement authorities or paying taxes. ``But those are burdens that Congress knowingly created, and it is not our place to second-guess those decisions,'' U.S. Circuit Judge Jerry Smith wrote for the majority. Smith was appointed to the court by Republican President Ronald Reagan. It's unclear when the Justice
Department will file its appeal or whether the high court would take up the case, but the administration may be running out of time to get a final decision before Obama leaves office in early 2017. While the appeal moves forward, not much will change for the millions of immigrants Obama sought to help without action from Congress. When Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans program last year, they also rolled out a new set of priorities for immigration enforcement that focused on criminals, those who pose a threat to national security or public safety and recent border-crossers. The result of that renewed focus means the average immigrant whose only offense is living in the country illegally isn't likely to face deportation. During the last budget year, which ended Sept. 30, administration removed about 231,000 immigrants living in the country illegally, according to internal government documents obtained by The Associated Press. It was the fewest number of deportations since 2006 and a 42 percent drop since a record high of more than 409,000 in 2012. -AP
GOP candidates debate seriously on immigration Cont'd from Page 44
Bush put it in starker terms: ``They're doing high-fives in the Clinton campaign when they're hearing this.'' Indeed, Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton's spokesman Brian Fallon wrote on Twitter about the exchange, ``We actually are doing highfives right now.'' One person who wasn't asked to weigh in - and didn't insert himself into the discussion - was Rubio, who has had to walk back his involvement in a failed Senate plan to dramatically overhaul the country's immigration policies with a plan that included a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, which some Republicans decried as unfair amnesty. SPENDING DIFFERENCES Rubio has been attacked by Bush and Trump in the past as an absentee lawmaker, yet it was
Paul who hit the Florida senator the hardest during the debate. Paul slammed Rubio's plan to expand tax credits for families with children, which Paul said amounts to a new expensive welfare program. ``We have to decide what is conservative and what isn't,'' Paul said. And a Paul-Rubio exchange about military spending highlighted another policy divide within the party. ``Can you be a conservative and be liberal in military spending?'' Paul asked, pointing to Rubio's plans to expand the military. Rubio fired back: ``I know that Rand is a committed isolationist. I'm not.'' Cruz interjected that there's a way to ``split the difference.'' He said, to audience applause: ``You think defending this nation is expensive? Try not defending it.'' But Cruz said he would offset any increase in military spending by cutting in other areas, offering up the federal subsidy for the sugar industry as a specific ex-
ample. Cruz didn't say it on the debate stage, but Rubio has defended that subsidy - which greatly benefits the Florida-based industry.
Paul slammed Rubio's plan to expand tax credits for families with children, which Paul said amounts to a new expensive welfare program. KASICH AND BUSH TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LONGER FORMAT Kasich elbowed his way into the debate again and again, saying at one point, ``Look, I hate to crash the party.'' Kasich and Cruz had a testy exchange late in the
debate on whether big banks should be propped up with federal help as they fail. Cruz said flatly that he would not, for example, give the Bank of America bailout money even if it were teetering on the brink. Kasich took another approach, saying he wouldn't ignore people who have their life savings in these banks. He said executive experience matters, arguing that ``on-the-job training for president of the United States doesn't work.'' Bush noted early on that he only had four minutes of speaking time in the last debate. Although he still wasn't the chattiest candidate on stage, he did make use of the longer response times moderators allowed this time and called out Clinton as out of touch on the economy. ``Hillary Clinton has said that Barack Obama's policies get an `A.' Really?'' Bush asked. ``One in 10 people aren't working or have given up looking for work, one in seven people live in poverty, and
one in five are on food stamps. That is not an `A.' It may be the best that Hillary Clinton can do, but it's not the best America can do.'' CARSON BIO LARGELY UNQUESTIONED Coming into the debate, Carson was expected to face tough questions about certain discrepancies in his life story, which has served as a point of inspiration long before he became a presidential candidate. Yet moderators touched only lightly on that topic. ``I have no problem with being vetted,'' Carson said. ``What I do have a problem with is being lied about and putting it out there as truth.'' He argued he'd been scrutinized more than Clinton, successfully pivoting the discussion from himself to the Democratic front-runner. ``People who know me,'' he said, ``know that I'm an honest person.'' -AP
Datebook
November 20, 2014
NEW JERSEY Upcoming
NEW YORK Upcoming
Sun, Nov 22
Fri, Nov 20
• Kal Aur Aaj Bollywood Musical Journey
• Alka Yagnik Live in New York
Venue: Edison Hotel, 3050,Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 6:00 pm
Sat, Dec 12 • EduCare - 2015 Annual Gala Dinner/Fundraiser Venue: Royal Albert’s Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Edison, NJ 08837 Time : 06:00 pm Contact: 201-933-8963
Sat, Dec 19 • IFMP - Annual Cultural Show 2015 Venue: West Windsor Plainsboro High School North, 90 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536 Time: 2:00 pm
Venue: Colden Auditorium, Reeves Avenue, NY 11367 Time : 08:30 pm Contact: 7186392881
Thu, Dec 31 • New Years Eve Bash 2016! Venue: The Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 Time : 08:30 pm Contact: 631-928-3800
The, Dec 31 • Midnight Masquerade Ball Venue: BOWLMOR - CHELSEA PIERS, 59 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011 Time : 10:00 pm Contact: 631-928-3800
India Post 47
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
CHICAGO
Upcoming
Upcoming
Dance Production
Wed, Nov 25 • Atif Aslam Live In Concert Los Angeles - The Night Before Thanksgiving Day
Directed by Michael Navarra
Venue: Terrace Theater - Long Beach Con-
Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard Fremont, CA 94539 Time: 8:00 pm Tickets: $12 General; $10 Students & Seniors Contact: www.smithcenter.com 510-659-6031
vention and Entertainment Center, 300 E
Sun, Nov 22
Venue: Anaheim Plaza at Celebrity Ballroom,
• Marathi Movie - Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2
1700 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim,
Nov 6-7, 12-14, 19-21 • One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Ohlone College Dept. of Theatre &
Venue: Serra Theaters, 200 Serra Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 02:00 pm Contact 650-670-6665
Sat, Dec 5 • Rain, An Indian Classical Dance Performance Venue: The Performing Arts Education Center, 28545 West Driver Avenue, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Time: 6:00 pm
Fri, Dec 11 • Bollywood Singers 6th Show Club Party Venue: TANDOOR RESTAURANT, 1132 E Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867 Time: 7:00 pm
Thu, Dec 31 •Desi Dhamaal 5 - New Year 2016 Venue: Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove, 12021 Harbor Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA 92840 Time: 6:00 pm
Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 Time: 07:00 pm
Thu, Dec 31 • QP-Asian Association presents 2016 New Year
CA 92802 Time: 7:00 pm
ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Nov 22 • Diwali Special Gujarati Natak Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Drive, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 6:00 pm
Sat, Nov 22 • Diwali Special Gujarati Natak Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Drive, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 6:00 pm
Sun, Dec 12 • Shaam E Sangeet Venue: The Impact Center at Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 06:30 pm
ILLINOIS Upcoming 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807
Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
Swami Ishatmananda • Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life Venue: Public Library-95th Street 3015 Cedar Glade Rd Naperville IL 60564 Time: 1st friday of every month 7-8 pm Contact: 630-637-0662
• India Eternal: From the Vedic Age to the Present Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago 10915 N. Main Street Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 630-655-8822
India Post
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November 20, 2015
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Philosophy
November 20, 2015
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T
he following hymn was addressed to a man addicted to intoxicants: The Giver gave man a pill of the intoxicant illusion. In his intoxication he forgot death and enjoyed pleasure for four days. The abstainers obtained truth to keep them in God's court. Nanak, know the True One alone as true. By serving Him man obtaineth happiness and proceedeth with honor to His court. The true wine is that which containeth the true Name; it is prepared without molasses. I am a sacrifice unto those who hear and explain this. Man is known as properly intoxicated when he obtaineth a place in God's court. Bathe in the water of virtues; apply the perfume of truth to thy body; Then shall thy face become bright, and the One Giver bestow hundreds of thousands of gifts on thee. Inform God, with whom resteth happiness, of thine unhappiness. Why forget Him who owneth thy soul and life? All clothing and food are impure without Him. All else is false; what pleaseth Thee, O God, is acceptable. A Sikh called Prema asked the Guru where God resided, in what. state He dwelt, and how He could be found. The following was the Guru's reply:-The virtues of the virtuous woman are blazoned abroad; she who is not virtuous regretteth it. BOB ROSE
O
m is the universal sound. It is within every word and within everything. So when you chant Om, you merge with all energy and all forms, from the sub-atomic to the universal, from the most gross to the most divine. And when you are tuned in perfectly, you will receive holy frequencies clearly and merge and emerge at one with the source of all and live happily ever after. Many meditation teachers suggest that it is necessary to understand every intellectual aspect of the meaning of the mantra that is being practiced, but just as many others feel that the intellect may tend to confuse and hold back spiritual progress. What both types of teachers agree on is that mantras have the potential to take practitioners to the level of consciousness that transcends the limitations of the mind by a billion-fold. Every vibration has a corresponding sound and everything in the universe has a vibration and thus a sound. Each atom, molecule, cell, object, group of objects, even the entire universe, has its own collection of vibrations and unique sound. When you chant a mantra, you
O woman, if thou desire thy spouse, practise truth. He cannot be obtained by falsehood. No boat or raft will take thee to the distant Beloved. My Lord is perfect; His throne is secure. He whom the perfect Guru maketh holy, shall obtain the True and unrivalled One. God's palace is beautiful; it is adorned with bright gems, rubies, pearls, and diamonds; it is sur-
His seat is perfectly beautiful; He fulfilleth the hopes of the hopeless. Nanak, if man obtain the Perfect One how can his virtues decrease? A man can only find favor with God by devotion: Accursed is her life who is separated from her Spouse. She is ruined by mammon. Like a wall impregnated with kallar she
the nine treasures are produced, and man obtaineth the marks of His favor. What shall be the condition of him who accepteth not the Guru's doctrine? The blind man hath forgotten the Name; the perverse is stone-blind. His transmigration shall cease not; he shall be ruined by death and birth. Woman may buy sandal, kungu, and red lead for the partings of her hair; distilled aloe
True intoxication is finding place in God's court Why forget Him who owneth thy soul and life? All clothing and food are impure without Him. All else is false; what pleaseth Thee, O God, is acceptable. Guru Nanak
rounded by a golden fortress, and is an abode of pleasure. How shall I scale the fortress without a ladder? By meditating on God through the Guru I shall behold Him. The Guru giving me God's name is my ladder, my boat, and my raft; The Guru is the lake, the sea, and the boat; the Guru is the sacred stream. If it please God, I shall go to bathe in the true tank and become pure. He is called the most perfect; He reposeth on a perfect throne.
crumbleth down day and night. She obtaineth no rest without the Word; without her Beloved her grief departeth not. O woman, what are thine adornments without thy Spouse? Thou shalt not obtain entrance into God's court; being false thou shalt be despised. The Lord is wise and forgetteth not: He is true and a great husbandman. He first prepareth the ground, then soweth the seed of the true Name. From the name of the one God
wood, sandal, betel, and camphor in great quantities. Yet, if she please not her Spouse, all her preparations are vain: All her enjoyments are vain, and all her adornments are useless. Until she is permeated by the Word, how shall she obtain honor at God's court? Nanak, blest is the woman who loveth her Spouse. Excerpted from sacredtexts.com. The 546th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak will be observed on November 25.
merge with the sound vibration and become at one with the energy wavelength of the object of your mantra. Mantra chanting makes you at one with everyone, everywhere who is chanting that mantra and with everyone who has ever chanted the mantra. All the saints who have ever
same wavelength as the mantra. Once attuned with this vibration you connect with everything resonating on that plane of existence. It's like tuning a radio. At first you may get static, but once you are in the right frequency your reception is perfect. Technically though, there is a
sent up to the sternum to the voice region, the lips, where the M sound is prolonged and vibrated up to the crown of the head. This vibrating M is felt in every cell of the body and is beamed out lovingly, soothingly, powerfully, to everything, everyone, everywhere. Intellectually and metaphysi-
Chanting Om, you merge with source of all lightenment through the technique of chanting that mantra connect with you as you connect with the vibration of the mantra. "correct" way to chant Om. It is made up of three letters: A, U, M. These contain all the sounds there are. The A is guttural and comes from the throat. It is pronounced without any part of the tongue or palate in contact. The U sound comes from the middle of the sounding board, the palate. In Sanskrit, the A and U join together to become O. The O sound is vibrated from the navel/ solar plexus area and
daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart. -Mahatma Gandhi The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence. -Rabindranath Tagore If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. -Meister Eckhart The music that I have learned and want to give is like worshipping God. It's absolutely like a prayer. -Ravi Shankar God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength and ability. Prayer helps us tap and develop these powers. -A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
All the saints who have ever reached en-
reached enlightenment through the technique of chanting that mantra connect with you as you connect with the vibration of the mantra. You merge with their essence which has been purified and is holy and you become pure and holy because that divine level of existence vibrates only with holiness, peace, and bliss. By chanting a mantra, your cells, molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles all vibrate in the
Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is
cally, A stands for the physical world perceptible to the senses, the material world. U represents the astral and dream planes, heaven and hell. M is the unknown, deep sleep, and that which is unfathomable to the intellect. Thus Om contains the entire spectrum of sound, words, worlds, and concepts. Excerpted from meditationsociety.com. Bob Rose is President, Meditation Society of America
For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God. Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. -Soren Kierkegaard
Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs
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November 20, 2015
Yuvraj Singh with Hazel Keech in Bali. The couple got engaged in the Indonesian city
her. That's what he did. Q: When did Yuvi meet Hazel for the first time? A: I'm not aware of that. However, I met Hazel on his last birthday (December 12). Q: Was that in Mumbai or in Gurgaon? A: Mumbai. Q: How did Yuvi introduce her to you? A: Just as a friend…. There were many people at the party and, so, our introduction was very brief…. Later on, Yuvi confided that he liked her and, going forward, would be looking to know her better. Q: You'd approved of Hazel? A: I did. Q: What were your first impressions of Hazel? A: That she was sweet…. As I've said, there were a lot of people at the party and I don't recall meeting her a second time that night…. But, yes, I did get a good feeling. One can't adequately explain such feelings, but you either feel good about a person or you don't. Hazel fell in the first category. Q: Later on, what struck you about Hazel? A: That she was honest, simple and, most of all, knew nothing about cricket. Q: Was Yuvi looking for a partner who knew nothing about the game?
Yuvraj Singh with Hazel Keech taking blessing from Sant Ram Singhji Ganduan Wale at Dufera Sahib near Fatehgarh Sahib before getting engaged.
Y
uvraj Singh, often linked to some of the most sought-after women, has got engaged to British-born model and actor Hazel Keech. Their candlelit engagement took place on a beach in exotic Bali, on Diwali day. Yuvraj, best remembered for stunning performances in the inaugural World T20 (2007) and in the 2011 World Cup, both won by India, personally selected the venue for the engagement. The news was confirmed by Yuvraj's manager Aneesh Gautam. Gautam said, "Yes, Yuvraj got engaged in Bali, and the ceremony was attended by very few people. His mother wasn't present; she's in Mumbai at the moment. According to reports, Yuvraj will tie the knot with Hazel in February next year. The couple had been dating over the past few months. The report further added that the 33-year-old will marry the 28-year-old Hazel in traditional fashion at the Hansaliwale Gurdwara in District Fatehgarh Sahib near
Cont'd on Page 53
Chandigarh. In an interview Yuvraj's mother Shabnam spoke to The Telegraph: Q: Yuvi chose one of the most romantic of venues…. A: (Laughs) Indeed, yes. Q: Did Yuvi Skype you after getting engaged? A: Both Yuvi and Hazel came on FaceTime after their engagement. I blessed and congratulated them. It was an emotional moment. Q: As a mother, you must have been delighted…. A: Of course. Q: Had Yuvi taken you into confidence? A: I was in the know, yes. In fact, Yuvi told me before leaving, late last week, that he'd be getting engaged to Hazel. Q: Did Hazel also know? A: No. Yuvi didn't tell her and was wanting to surprise
i, al B t in s a le. ; ed wa eop nt g e ga ony w p res mo n e e p t rem y f 't the o g ce er sn at j a e y v wa ai r v th b er b t.’ u m d d n Y h ‘ an nde ot Mu me te is ms in H e' sh
November 20, 2015
India Post 51 www.indiapost.com
Anju Modi and Deepika Padukone
NEW DELHI: Ace designer Anju Modi was earlier doubtful about designing for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Bajirao Mastani due to its grandeur but eventually took up the challenge. Anju earlier collaborated with Bhansali on his 2013 love saga Ram Leela and earned plaudits for her work, especially Deepika Padukone's outfits. The designer said the filmmaker had confidence in her skills and offered her Bajirao Mastani while they were working on Ram Leela. "I was doing Ram Leela when Sanjay Leela Bhansali offered me to do his next film Bajirao Mastani. He had confidence in me as there is good synergy between us. I was contemplating whether to do the film or not," Anju told PTI. "It (doing Bajirao Mastani) was going to be a tough task as it would take a lot of time, energy and lot of hard work is required. But I decided to take up the challenge. The project is huge that required a lot of hard work," she said. Anju got emotional when she first heard the script of Bajirao Mastani. "We all were there at the script reading
session... I was in tears... The story touched me emotionally. The film had a huge impact on me. I had to understand all the three characters then work accordingly on the looks," she added. To get the nuances right, the designer had to do a lot of research for all the three main characters Bajirao played by Ranveer Singh, Mastani essayed by Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra as Kashibai, first wife of Bajirao. "I went to Pune, Nashik to understand the culture of Maharashtra. I had to start going to villages, meet people. I had to travel in the past, transport myself to 17th, 18th century." Anju said while she got 'Navhari' sarees for Priyanka, shararas, anarkalis were designed for Deepika. "Priyanka Chopra plays Bajirao's wife and her look had to be Indian. We got her 'Navhari' sarees and blouses, shawls. Deepika plays Mastani, a Muslim character. So we had sharara, anarkali, long kurti, gharara. While for Ranveer; he is Peshwa Bajirao so the look had to be royal. He was given kurta, turban, dhoti, long jackets," the
Stunts huge risks for entertainment: Rohit MUMBAI: Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty believes it is not easy to do stunts and they are huge risks for entertainment. "It (doing stunts) is a difficult job. It is sad that out hard work doesn't get acknowledged. In all cars my stunt men are sitting," Rohit told reporters here at the trailer launch of "Dilwale." "When the stunt happens our heart is in my mouth... We pray all goes well. It's easy to make fun... That car is flying... It is for entertainment. It (stunts) is a huge risk for entertainment (industry)," he said. 42-year-old Rohit has made blockbuster films like "Singham", "Singham Returns", "Chennai Express" among others which have action packed scenes. The leading actors from his film "Dilwale" - Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol feel Rohit gives utmost importance to safety measures. "Safety measures have changed from what they were earlier to what it is today. We are much safer. I feel Rohit Shetty's set is safest," Kajol said. "There are eight-nine action scenes in the film... After taking extreme safety mea-
sures anything can go wrong. But his team is safest team to do action. You feel encouraged," Shah Rukh said. Rohit reveals actor Varun Sharma of "Fukrey" fame wanted to know if he was cute in his upcoming film "Dilwale". "First time in my career an actor... Varun
Sharma has asked me if he is looking cute or not. I don't have answer for it. Generally actors ask whether they are good or not," the "Golmaal Returns" helmer said. "Dilwale" also starring Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Johnny Lever, Kabir Bedi releases on December 18. -PTI
Rohit Shetty
designer added. Designing for all the three characters was a Herculean task for Anju. "It is difficult to single out any one of them because all three of them posed their own set of unique challenges. They all are looking best in different attire," she said. "The costumes had to reflect the nuances of the characters being portrayed, but also represent the grandiose of that period in our history," she added. Bhansali is known to be temperamental and is also a task master, but Anju does not think so and feels he is a director, who does not compromise on art. "He is a very detail-oriented person. He is methodical and has clarity on the way he wants the characters to be portrayed. He is not temperamental. He is loyal to his work and would not compromise on art," Anju said. The film will hit the screens on December 18. -PTI
52 India Post
November 20, 2015 www.indiapost.com
Stunning Varun wins best actor award
V
arun Dhawan stunned ev ery one with his intense face off with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Sriram Raghavan's crime drama, Badlapur. Recently, he traveled to Dubai to receive his first Best Actor award, for the film. Accompanying him was his Dishoom co-star Jacqueline Fernandez, who he describes as a "complete goofball". "John, Jackie and I are taking off to Abu Dhabi in January end and will be shooting through February. The schedule was supposed to be postponed because of John's injury (The 42-year-old-actor was hospitalized following a knee injury while shooting for Abhinay Deo's Force 2 in Budapest). But he has recovered faster than anyone expected and will be back soon on the film's Mumbai set," Varun reveals, adding that his older co-star is like a brother to him. The duo spends hours discussing women, football, fitness and bikes. His role as Shah Rukh Khan's younger brother in Rohit Shetty's much awaited Christmas release, Dilwale, has made industry insiders question his decision of picking two backto-back ensemble films. "My character, Veer's eccentricity and quirks are the most important part of this film. The script is the driving force behind my choice of projects. I have given a lot of days and energy to this film. I'm not doing run-of-the-mill roles," he asserts. And what is it like to share the attention on the sets with another
Varun (Sharma), who plays a crucial role in the film? "He's quite something, this boy, who comes from Jalandhar. He is always saying, `gedi marne chale?' after pack-up, which basically means roaming the streets in cars and checking out girls, a popular pastime among the youth in North India. He hugs everyone, including Rohit (Shetty) sir but is so
awkward around Kajol ma'am, it's quite a sight," he guffaws. For Varun, the highpoint was filming a salsa sequence with Farah Khan in Hyderabad. The actor was supposed to shake a leg with his love interest in the film, Kriti Sanon, who he considers to be "way out of his league". "Kriti towers over me, while I try hard to woo her. Every guy will definitely relate to this. We've all tried hard to impress a girl who is way too cool for us," he says. With his schedule locked until March 2016, Varun begins work on dad David Dhawan's next, which is still in the scripting stage. Then there's a Karan Johar production lined up for later in the year. "It's a special film and I'm really looking forward to it," he reveals, adding that he's also eager to collaborate with his father again. "In a career spanning over 50 films, my dad has explored every aspect of comedy
Varun Dhawan
with films ranging from Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, Raja Babu to Partner and our first film together, Main Tera Hero. Now, I want him to make a film straight from his heart. He has nothing to prove anymore. Few people know that he was the editor on the acclaimed Saaransh (directed by Mahesh Bhatt)," he says. It's not hard to believe that the Dhawans devoured movies even on the dinner table. And it's a close-knit unit too." It's usually Skype with the family for Diwali but I was home this time. We had a special pooja at my dad's office too. Spending time with him made me realize that he is the centre of my universe. He is always asking people around me to take care of me. It's a constant reminder that no matter how miserably I fail in life, I will always have my dad and family to fall back on," Varun says. After his family, his dedicated fitness regime provides a solid support to his well more being. "When I am working out, I let go of all my demons. I have started spending more time in the gym because it makes me happy," he insists. What about elder brother, Dishoom director Rohit Dhawan? "He is strict and sincere. He'll get upset if I praise him," Varun says cheekily, insisting that his reel life elder brother SRK is more "khulla and bindaas". Is Varun himself more of a diplomatic person in real life? "Not at all," he laughs, add-
ing, "Most of us younger actors are careful about what we say in public because we are constantly abused on social media. All this has made all of us very good at being more secretive, like I have been several times in the past. I have noticed that Boman (Irani) sir, Johnny (Lever) sir, Rohit sir, they're all so chilled out. SRK sir fights fire with fire, there is no diplomacy there," Varun says matter-offactly. He recently caught Kanu Behl's directorial debut Titli and was admittedly blown away. "I'd love to do a film like that next. I love exploring different genres and that's where a film like Dishoom comes in. It's a combination of action and dialogue executed intelligently," he explains. A lot of his contemporaries are dabbling in music videos and short films. Is that something that interests him? Varun says he'd be absolutely web game to explore a series where he can film seveneight episodes at a stretch. "I was 16 years old when I made a short film. It gave me such a creative high but it was such a bad film, it should have been banned. It was about a frustrated actor. I would love to do a short film and even explore a smaller, more Indie film," he reveals. Buzz is Varun Dhawan will be seen in another two-hero film, alongside Hrithik Roshan, in a big budget Hindi remake of Mahesh Babu's Telugu blockbuster, Srimanthudu. "There might be something there," he winks.
Writing books Bollywood's new passion! NEW DELHI: More and more Bollywood celebrities are taking to penning books with Sonali Bendre Behl the latest to join the league with a book on parenting tips.
Twinkle Khanna
Several Bollywood actors have recently come out with books or are planning to do so in the near future among them being Anu Aggarwal, Twinkle Khanna,
Emraan Hashmi, Shilpa Shetty and Shadaab Amjad Khan. In her book "The Modern Gurukul: My Experiments with Parenting", Behl shares her three principles of parenting which she says will help find a balance between tradition and modernity, and show how to raise a child in the digital age. "This isn't a conventional selfhelp book. It is an honest and sincere narration of my journey as a parent," she says about her book, published by Penguin Random House. When Behl's son Ranveer was born in 2005, she gave up her career to play the role of a mother in real life. It was only after her son started going to school and she was confident of the quality of time she spent with him that she resumed her career. She has since appeared on tele-
vision as a judge on shows like "Indian Idol", "India's Got Talent", "Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz" and "India's Best Dramebaaz", and a daily sitcom with Balaji Productions called "Ajeeb Dastaan Hai
Emraan Hashmi
Yeh". A few months ago, Khanna's "Mrs Funnybones: She's Just Like You and a Lot Like Me", Aggarwal's memoir "Anusual: Memoir of a Girl Who Came Back
from the Dead" and Khan's debut novel "Murder in Bollywood" were published. Full of wit and delicious observations, "Mrs Funnybones" is based on Khanna's popular column. The book, published by Penguin India, captures the life of the modern Indian woman. In "Anusual: Memoir of a Girl Who Came Back from the Dead", published by HarperCollins India, "Aashiqui" girl Aggarwal tells the fascinating story of her self-discovery, a near-death experience and amazing recovery besides details of the men in her life, from millionaire jet-setters to superyogis. "Murder in Bollywood", published by Penguin India, is a Bollywood crime caper by Amjad Khan's son Shadaab. Ayushmann Khurrana has also written a book called "Cracking
the Code" in which he outlines a step-by-step guide to making it big in tinsel town, drawing on his personal experiences in Bollywood. Hashmi is coming out with a
Shilpa-Shetty
book next year which will be a combination of his personal story and an emotional journey, along with practical reference and resources to help anyone else whose loved ones are battling cancer. -PTI
November 20, 2015
India Post 53 www.indiapost.com
Sexy Victoria's Secret lingerie show hits 20-year mark NEW YORK: Some lit up, others were pretty - and patriotic - in pink and still more burst forth like fireworks. Yes, it was Victoria's Secret sexpot angel time, though the masses will have to wait until 10 p.m. EST on Dec. 8 to watch the 20th annual lingerie extravaganza on CBS. This was just the taping, including musical performances by The Weekend, Ellie Goulding and Selena Gomez, after Rihanna abruptly canceled. Veteran VS walkers like Lily Aldridge and Alessandra Ambrosio were joined by newbie angels, including Martha Hunt and Elsa Hosk. Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid were among the nonwinged supermodels new to the glitzy show that generates weeks of advance buzz and will be seen in 192 countries by more than 500 million people, according to company officials. In all, 47 models blew air kisses, flirted on stage with the camera and flipped their varied wings around as they strutted on the runway in 75 looks at a Manhattan armory. But first, there was hair and makeup to be done and a ``pink carpet'' of celebrity guests to be walked. Questlove and Nick Cannon were on hand, along with a dapper member of the Mets, Matt Harvey, in a black Versace suit. Caitlyn Jenner was among those who attended the runway show to cheer on daughter Kendall. Hadid said backstage that she has big respect for the veteran angels and hopes to earn her own wings one day. Brand new angel Rachel Hilbert, from Rochester, New York, was in the Pink USA squad on the runway, and was also in awe of the longtime ladies, including Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima, seated just inches away on a comfy white couch in rollers backstage. ``Uh, yeah, Adriana Lima. She's
sitting right there,'' Hilbert smiled as all wore pink-and-white striped robes, curlers in their hair, while manicures, pedicures, spray tanning and makeup commenced. ``She's such a sweetheart. Her advice was just breathe and just take
Barbara Fialho appears backstage as she prepares for the 2015 Victoria Secret Fashion Show taping at the Lexington Armory on Tuesday, Nov. 10, in New York.
it in.'' So how were the nerves for the newcomers? ``Actually, surprisingly, not bad,'' Hadid said before the show. ``I was really nervous in rehearsal.'' She shared the stage later with Gomez and Goulding. ``I love both of them,'' said Hadid, who fell to the floor and gasped in a video of her audition, when she was told she was picked. As for her famous curves, she prepared with the help of boxing and ballet. ``A lot of sweating and then just focusing on smaller parts because when everything's in highdef you have to not forget about the little things,'' Hadid said. ``I've watched the show my entire life and this has been such a dream.'' The show featured sections of `60s boho angels flashing piece
signs in teeny bras and panties, swinging fringe and showing off wings made of sculptured paper, leather and feathers, including Jenner. Her gal pal Hadid was among a group of exotic butterflies with wings and outfits sparkling with crystals. The patriotic pink group included an Americanflagged theme outfit and wings. This year's iteration of the annual Fantasy Bra was fashioned in bursts of fireworks, the theme for one of the liveliest sections of the show. The demi-bra and matching belt are worth $2 million and were worn by Aldridge. They were created by the jewelry company Mouawad in 18-karat gold and encrusted with 6,500 diamonds, blue topaz, yellow sapphires and other precious stones. Hunt was the last firework, closing the show in another center piece, courtesy of Swarovski, one of the evening's sponsors. It was a corset sparkling with 90,000 gold, red, green and blue crystals. The look, along with her light-up wings, included 20,000 crystals and 1,200 battery-powered LED lights. The battery pack she lugged weighed in at 19 pounds. ``I did practice ... with a trainer. I wore a weighted vest and walked back and forth in high heels,'' she said. Hunt's last meal before hitting the makeup chair was eggs. She promised her first after the show would be: ``Pizza. ... Pizza is one of my favorite foods. Pizza and pasta.'' Gomez, a buddy of previous Victoria's Secret show performers like Taylor Swift, along with some of the walkers, performed on the splashy stage with her dancers as models walked, as did The Weeknd and Goulding. ``I don't know if I could be an angel, I'm not gonna lie,'' Gomez joked. ``I look at how hard they work. I like fried food too much. I don't know if I could give that up.'' -AP
Ellie Goulding happy with her figure LONDON: Ellie Goulding says she is happy with her figure and only works out to stay fit and improve her strength, rather than lose weight. The 28-year-old "Love me like you do" singer insists she does not work out to be skinny but rather to improve her strength and fitness, reported Female First. "If getting stronger means getting more toned and slimmer, so be it, as long as strength comes
with it. I'm happy with my figure. I never intended or tried to be skinny. It's just not my thing," she said. Goulding said it can be hard to work out while on tour and hence she prefers high-intensity regimes, as it helps her stay super focused on her fitness. "(High intensity work outs) are by far the hardest thing I've ever done. I come out of there feeling like something big just happened
to my body, and I'm completely drained," she said. "Of all the workouts I've tried, this one has been the best for me. When I'm not on the road, my trainer comes to my house a few times a week and we go for a run outdoors and then do weight training," she shared. She said she likes it because half the session is spent running and the other half doing weight and floor work. -PTI
Yuvraj hitched; wedding in Feb Cont'd from Page 50
A: Absolutely. The whole country keeps telling Yuvi how to play his cricket and he just didn't want somebody at home, too, to offer similar advice…. He actually wanted a girl who wasn't interested in the sport. Q: You're the one closest to Yuvi. What else does he like about Hazel? A: That she's very down to earth and straightforward. Hazel's an upright girl. Q: Yuvi's always had the ladies' man image, so some would find it hard believing that he'd soon be marrying… A: It's not that Yuvi didn't want to marry, but he'd consistently said that he wouldn't till he got the feeling within that he'd met the right girl…. Yuvi will be 34 next month and had reached a stage where he felt he needed a partner for life. Most important, he found a girl who wasn't at all interested in cricket…. Yuvi's seen the world and now is convinced that he needs to settle down and have kids. Yuvi adores Hazel and I'm keeping fingers crossed. They should remain the way they are today, very much in love. Q: Three years ago, when Yuvi made a comeback after being treated in the US for cancer, you'd told me he wouldn't want a "tro-
phy wife". Obviously, then, Yuvi took everything into account…. A: Even then, I'd felt the time was right for Yuvi, but he never wanted to marry for the sake of marrying somebody…. Also, as I made it clear, he certainly didn't want a trophy wife. Compatibility is a must. Q: How soon will the marriage take place? A: It hasn't been decided, but would have to be next year. Nothing has been fixed, really. Not at
It's not that Yuvi didn't want to marry, but he'd consistently said that he wouldn't till he got the feeling within that he'd met the right girl. this point in time. Q: The last one…. Yuvi hasn't played for India in any format for 19 months. Is he still determined? A: (Emphatically) Definitely. If Yuvi wasn't, he wouldn't have been playing in the Ranji Trophy (for Punjab)…. Just a few weeks ago, he got 187 against Gujarat. He'll quit the day he loses focus.
Australian Film Festival canceled LOS ANGELES: An Australian Film Festival which was due to feature Susan Sarandon as a judge has been canceled over financial troubles. The Hollywood actress, 69, had agreed to head the jury for the 2015 Tropfest event in Sydney, Australia next month (Dec15), but it has now been called off less than
four weeks before it was due to begin, said the Hollywood Reporter. Founder John Polson has blamed the cancellation on money matters, and revealed he is now embroiled in a legal dispute over the festival's finances. "Suddenly, wham, we've got this huge hole (in the finances)," he said. "I'm not suggesting there's any impropriety here. I honestly don't know. The best I can say now is mismanagement... It's like being in a bad dream. This is 23 years of work. It's a stunning, shocking blow, with really no hint of what was to come... "I feel terrible for the filmmakers. I feel terrible for the audiences... And I think it's terrible for anybody who cares about Australian film. -PTI
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'Hand-in-Hand' a laudable Sino-India exercise
India Post
BHARTENDU KUMAR SINGH
A
gainst the backdrop of a competitive and often conflictual relationship, China and India recently concluded the fifth joint 'hand-in-hand' anti-terrorism exercise at Kunming in Yunan Province of China. The two neighbors have differential perspectives on many security issues. China, for example, finds nothing wrong in fraternizing with Pakistan, hitherto, a hotbed of terrorism and in many cases, exporter of terrorism. The 'hand-in-hand' exercises, even if at a small scale, are therefore laudable, since they provide an opportunity for experience sharing. However, these exercises also represent the complexity of the Sino-Indian relationship and the inability of the two militaries to engage each other towards a larger, mutually gainful relationship. The logic of a past war and border differences apart, there are many reasons why China and India should be talking larger military cooperation. First, military engagement has enabled 'relative peace' along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), institutionalized and augmented through a series of confidence-building measures (CBMs).
Third, little is known about China's actual combat capability since it does not have any major war experience over the last 50 years, save some skirmishes with its smaller neighbors. In fact, even today, China is not very confident of waging and winning a war against Taiwan, a minnow in military parlance. Such exercises, therefore, offer India an opportunity to see Chinese combat preparations in what they call as military operation other than wars (MOOTW). Fourth, China and India are also great powers with their own geopolitical ambitions in the Indian Ocean and Africa. Regrettably, China has been a reluctant partner in the Asian security project and the multilateral joint military exercises involving other regional powers since it prefers bilateral ventures. Sino-Indian partnership in these ventures can not only contain mutual rivalry but also provide better resilience against maritime piracy and the security of sealanes in the region. However, there are few avenues for military cooperation and engagement between China and India. The LAC does not see many friendly interactions between the
Indian and Chinese soldiers engage in a military drill on the final day of the 12-day-long fifth joint “Hand-in-Hand� exercises at Kunming Military Academy in China's Yunnan Province
Compared to the troublesome Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, the LAC is relatively peaceful, though Chinese keep crossing the Indian side off and on. Second, the two countries have differential border infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). China is way ahead and it will take India at least a decade to catch up with the network of roads and railways spread across the LAC. Engaging the Chinese PLA is the best way to maintain peace in the interregnum. That would also do away with misperceptions and miscommunications that played a crucial role in 1962 war.
two militaries. Elsewhere too, China and India hardly interact in a friendly environment. The number of friendly exchanges between the two militaries is insignificant. A look at the Ministry of Defense Annual Report for 2014-15 shows that New Delhi has engaged many countries quite actively in different areas of defense cooperation commensurate with its status of a rising great power. Similarly, as the Chinese White Paper on Military Strategy (2015) reveals, the PLA would explore "new fields, new contents and new models of cooperation with
other militaries, so as to jointly deal with a diverse range of security threats and challenges." This policy toes what President Xi Jinping declared in January this year that China will place greater emphasis on military diplomacy as part of its overall foreign policy strategy. Therefore, small-scale military cooperation between the two countries does not make sense. The two countries must, therefore, explore bigger themes for joint military exercises. Despite having perceptional differences on security, the two countries do have many common areas of concern. The Chinese for examples talk of "small scale wars, conflicts and crises" as recurrent themes. The world still faces, according to them, both immediate and potential threats of local wars. Regional terrorism, separatism and extremism are (still) rampant and have a negative impact on security and stability along China's periphery. Consider similar narratives from India's MoD Annual Report (14-15): "large parts of the world continue to be affected by conflict and violence. Though the probability for a full conventional war has receded, a number of drivers have catalyzed new challenges in the regional and global security landscape. The transnational threats posed by the activities of terrorist organizations have been exacerbated by the dynamics of intra and inter state conflicts and pose a danger to regions beyond the primary theatres." In doing so, both countries can learn from each other's best practices. India, for example, can learn from manpower reforms in Chinese military modernization that has been achieved without any compromises on combat capabilities. Similarly, China can learn from India's experience of handling state-sponsored terrorism and proxy wars. The joint military exercises have been a major initiative in institutionalizing dialogue between the militaries of China and India. These exercises have also enabled the two militaries to gain new knowledge about each other, indirectly supplementing the peace efforts on the LAC. There is, therefore, space for the two countries to expand the basket of cooperation for larger bilateral peace. The views expressed are the author's own. The writer is with Indian Defense Accounts Service. Courtesy IPCS
Wake up call
B
ihar has been a wake up call for the big guns of BJP, notably Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Party President Amit Shah. But they have taken scant notice. They are carrying on as if nothing has happened; there is no setback and that their positions are not threatened. Even after top veterans of the party have jointly demanded accountability, the Big Two have been let off free. It will be difficult for Modi to now listen to the veterans of the party. They were sidelined under a grouping called Margadarshaks (guides). But no one takes their counsel any longer. In fact after the grand success of Modi and Amit Shah in the General Elections, Advani himself had showered high praise on both of them. Even Arun Shourie, who has been extremely critical of Modi of late, was strong supporter of his being named the prime ministerial candidate. It was only after he was named as PM candidate that the BJP parliamentary campaign took wings. If this lesson had been learned for Bihar also, they would have appointed a credible candidate as their CM nominee. By not naming any CM candidate they had in the beginning conceded that there was no one in their party of the caliber of Nitish Kumar to take on the JD (U) stalwart. The veterans also have to share the blame for not having spoken earlier. They are speaking only now when Modi seems to be down a bit. When the fringe elements of BJP were indulging in loose talks day in day out, that is when they should have called for a stop to what was queering the pitch of governance for the party. In UK Modi went on claiming that there is no intolerance in India and did not refer to any of the incidents for which his party is being pilloried at home. It was like a brazen act. He claimed that there was not a single act of intolerance in the land of "Buddha and Gandhi." Perhaps Modi believes that the grand receptions and adorations he receives abroad will make up for the shortcomings at home. After the obvious bad language that Modi used in his Bihar campaigning, there was need for him to apologize to the people of Bihar. He should have done a 'Man Ki Baat' with them, telling them that he was sorry for all the bad mouthing. Instead there has been no word from him at all about Bihar. Nor has his party chief Amit Shah spoken on Bihar. The parliamentary party has also absolved them of any blame claiming the Bihar defeat is collective responsibility. In power the BJP is becoming like Congress. Just as Sonia and Rahul Gandhi could not be questioned, Modi and Shah have become the first family, immune to any rebuke. As the veterans had pointed out the character of BJP had been in its cadre based functioning and joint responsibility. But in this case Modi and Shah have turned totally against the BJP ethos. During his UK visit also, the Prime Minister has shown no inclination to be contrite. In fact the boisterous welcome by the Diaspora gathered at Wembley Stadium in London has helped him to cover up the mistakes adding up at home. It has been pointed out that when a Prime Minister goes out to campaign in a regional election, he does not cease to be Prime Minister. So what he speaks goes out as a message to all Indians. His speeches abroad are a delight because they are without malice. This malice when displayed at home makes it more difficult for him to function. As PM he cannot remain in campaign mode all the time. He seems to be giving the impression that he is the only vote catcher in the party and that he doesn't trust anyone else. The party leadership in Bihar was never visible.
November 20, 2015
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