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November 30, 2012
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OBAMA PUSHES FOR MYANMAR REFORMS
YANGON: President Barack Obama has urged Myanmar to hasten its "remarkable" reforms on a historic visit during which he was feted by huge crowds and met Aung San Suu Kyi at the home where she was long locked up. The trip, the first to Myanmar by a serving US president, came as the regime freed dozens more political prisoners to burnish its reform credentials and after the United States joined other Western powers in relaxing its sanctions. On his first trip abroad since his re-election earlier this month, Obama got a warm welcome in Myanmar, hugging long-time opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and lauding her as a personal inspiration. After a red-carpet welcome for Air Force One, Obama met Myanmar's reformist President Thein Sein and called on the former general to speed up the country's march out of decades of iron-fisted military rule. Details on page 5
Aung San Suu Kyi
'All those born in Burma are welcome back' Details on page 5
Sunita Williams returns to Earth from ISS Details on page 10
CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 52 Community Post -------------- 16-26 Date Book -------------------------- 49 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 12-15 Horoscope ------------------------- 50 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 30-32 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 36-37 TechBiz Post ------------------- 33-35 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43
HISTORIC VISIT: US President Barack Obama waves as he embraces Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after addressing members of the media at Suu Kyi’s residence in Yangon, Myanmar, November 19. Obama became the first U.S. President to visit the Asian nation
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he death of Bal Thackeray, founder of the regional political party, Shiv Sena, in Maharashtra brought to fore what many in the Indian media and intelligentsia always knew but did not openly acknowledge - his massive base of ordinary, working class Maharashtrians. Clearly catching cynics unawares was the nearly 2 million people turn out for the funeral procession and cremation of Bal Thackeray over the weekend in Mumbai. The unprecedented outpouring of the masses for a man known more for notoriety than fame, more for fear than respect, more for communalizing and destroying the ethos of Mumbai than for building a great city, is one for socio-political analysts to work on over the next several years. But for today, Thackeray's death leaves a void, not for the nation - because, despite his massive people's following, he never rose in stature beyond Maharashtra - but for the ordinary Maharashtrian who ostensibly credits him for his Marathi identity and Marathi pride. In the mid-90s when the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh N.T. Rama Rao died, this southern Indian state felt a similar void in its politics as well as the state's sense of identity. It was NTR (as he was popularly known) who had given the people of his state their Telugu identity and given the state its due space on the map of India. But interestingly, his death gave rise to another leader, Chandra Babu Naidu, who gave the state a completely different identity and pushed the state as an Information Technology hub on the global map. So, I would guess, Maharashtra has hope for a different future, if only that massive base of Shiv Sainiks find it in themselves to move out of the Thackeray shadow and not follow Bal Thackeray's heirs to leave the status quos unchallenged. Also, the city of Mumbai which lost its identity not just in its changed name (from Bombay) but also in its cosmopolitan ethos because of Bal Thackeray, now has the opportunity to rebuild its stature as the global city which it once was. As they say, the end of an era is the harbinger of a new and hopefully a better era.
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Fleeting phase Anushka Sharma thinks 10-15 years down the line she would be married and driving her kids to school.
Cover Story: Obama in Myanmar Obama urges Myanmar to hasten its "remarkable" reforms during a historic visit where he was feted by huge crowds.
Community: Diwali greetings Elected officials at the local, State and Federal level came on one platform to offer Diwali greetings to Indian Americans.
Immigration: Immigration reform US President Barack Obama plans to give new thrust to a comprehensive immigration reform in the country.
Life Style: Mika in SF World-famous singer Mika Singh was in the San Francisco Bay Area as part of his international tour.
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Obama pushes for Myanmar reforms YANGON: President Barack Obama has urged Myanmar to hasten its "remarkable" reforms on a historic visit during which he was feted by huge crowds and met Aung San Suu Kyi at the home where she was long locked up. The trip, the first to Myanmar by a serving US president, came as the regime freed dozens more political prisoners to burnish its reform credentials and after the United States joined other Western powers in relaxing its sanctions. On his first trip abroad since his re-election earlier this month, Obama got a warm welcome in Myanmar, hugging long-time opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and lauding her as a personal inspiration. After a red-carpet welcome for Air Force One, Obama met Myanmar's reformist President Thein Sein and called on the former general to speed up the country's march out of decades of iron-fisted military rule. "Over the last year and a half, a dramatic transition has begun, as a dictatorship of five decades has loosened its grip," Obama said afterwards in a major address at Yangon University during his whirlwind visit. "This remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go," he said. "The flickers of
progress that we have seen must not be extinguished. They must be strengthened." Over the past few decades, "our two countries became strangers", added Obama, who is on his foreign trip since winning re-election
this month. "But today, I can tell you that we always remained hopeful about the people of this country. About you. You gave us hope. And we bore witness to your courage."
Speaking to a national audience from the University of Yangon, Obama offered a "hand of friendship" and a lasting US commitment, yet a warning as well. He said the new civilian government must nurture democracy or watch it, and
Suu Kyi voices caution on reforms YANGON: Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi sounded a note of caution over Myanmar's rapid political reforms after talks with US President Barack Obama, warning of the risk of a "mirage of success". "The most difficult time in any transition is when we think that success is in sight," she said at her lakeside home alongside Obama. "We have to be very careful that we're not lured by the mirage of success." Obama said the goal of his trip was "to sustain the momentum for democratization". "That includes building credible government institutions, establishing rule of law, ending ethnic conflicts and ensuring that the people of this country have access to greater education, health care and economic opportunity," he said. "I want to make a pledge to
the people of this country that I am confident we can keep, and that is, if we see continued progress towards reform our bilateral ties will grow stronger and
The once-dilapidated villa has been spruced up since the veteran dissident's release from house arrest in November 2010, just days after a controversial election swept by the military's political allies we will do everything we can to help ensure success." Obama arrived by limousine for talks with his fellow Nobel Peace
Prize winner at the lakeside villa that was her prison for decades under the former junta. Suu Kyi, dressed in a traditional sarong-style skirt, greeted Obama who clasped his hands together as the pair approached each other with a small bow and shook hands. They were joined by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who shared a warm embrace with Suu Kyi, and other senior US officials. The once-dilapidated villa has been spruced up since the veteran dissident's release from house arrest in November 2010, just days after a controversial election swept by the military's political allies. Now she regularly welcomes visiting dignitaries and foreign media there, and the White House press corps set up their equipment in the garden. -AFP
US support, disappear. The visit to Myanmar was the centerpiece of a four-day trip to Southeast Asia. Obama seemed to revel in the history of what he was witnessing in Myanmar a nation shedding years of military rule, and a relationship between two nations changing fast. "This remarkable journey has just begun," he said. In a notable detour from US government policy, the president referred to the nation as Myanmar, the preferred name of the former military regime and the new government, rather than Burma, the old name and the one favored by democracy advocates and the United States government. Crowds swelled at every intersection, yelling affectionately for Obama and his secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton. In once unthinkable scenes, Obama's motorcade passed tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters - some chanting "America" - lining the streets of Yangon, the backdrop for several bloody crackdowns on pro-democracy uprisings. "You are the legend hero of our world," one banner read. Obama acknowledged Myanmar's many democratic shortcomings but said: "The United States of America is with you." -AP
'All those born in Burma are welcome back' KRISHAN SHARMA India Post News Service
VIKAS PURI, NEW DELHI. Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi addressed an august gathering of more than 500 Burmese political refugees and over 50 NRIs from Burma at a function organized by them at Oxford International School in Vikas Puri. She chose to speak in Burmese as most of the attendees were from
of Burma. She told all Burmese students not to lose their resolve and continue working for strengthening democracy in Burma. While answering a few questions, she said "Anybody who is born in Burma, you are all children of Burma and are welcome to your motherland anytime. You are like a family." She further said, "We are working to evolve a constructive system for their return." She re-
She chose to speak in Burmese as most of the attendees were from Burma and are comfortable in their language. Beside paying tribute to several supporters during her years in prison she thanked all those who stood by her and the people of Burma Burma and are comfortable in their language. Beside paying tribute to several supporters during her years in prison she thanked all those who stood by her and the people
quested her supporters to keep a close watch on the developments in Burma and not to lose hope. Suu Kyi said that sometimes the majority has to look at things through a minority's eyes "When
I came to India, I felt that I was coming to a friendly country with a long tradition,' she said. "All the [Burmese] people living in India are like our family members: brothers, nephews, nieces and children. So I want you to look on [them] as family members. I want to say solemnly that our country is a 'union.' " She said that the Burmese living in India nowadays are from various ethnic origins. "The majority [Bamar or Burman] became a minority in India," she said. "I think that is very good. Sometimes, a majority needs to look at things through a minority's eyes." Some Burmese residing near the Indo-Burmese border traveled more than 2,000 miles to hear Suu Kyi speak. "I want our country to be a secure union where all people can live peacefully," she said. "But we all need to make an effort to build that kind of union. Different ethnic groups have different cultures, different hopes, different languages and different religions. Despite these differences, we need to bring about unity. "To bring about unity we need
to have mutual understanding and mutual respect. To achieve that, one has to listen to what another person says. A person should not highlight only the things he wants. One must listen to voices
derstanding, we should not have one-sided views. We need to consider the opinions of both sides and the situation of the entire Union. The Oxford Senior Secondary
Aung San Suu Kyi at the Burmese political refugees’ gathering
from both sides. "We entered into the pro-democracy movement in attempt to achieve national reconciliation," she continued. "To achieve reconciliation and to get mutual un-
School where Suu Kyi spoke accepts Burmese children; many of whom are able to attend the school free of charge. The school is situated in the Vikas Puri Quarter where many Burmese people live.
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Suu Kyi saddened by India's ties to junta NEW DELHI: Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in a first in recent times from a public forum expressed disappointment over how India drew close to the military junta after initially supporting the democracy movement there. Even as she suggested that she was no longer impacted by expectations and disappointment, the Nobel laureate said she had been "saddened'' by the fact that India had drawn away in her country's "most difficult days''. Suu Kyi made the remark while delivering the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru memorial lecture here. Myanmar's main opposition leader added that she had not lost faith in India because she believed that relations between the two countries were based on friendship between the people. "I was saddened by the fact that India had drawn away in our most difficult days but always had faith in our lasting relationship,'' she said. Friendship should be based between people and not governments; govern-
ments come and go.'' Her remarks came at the end of the lecture during which she recalled her struggle for democracy even while under house arrest for 21 years and her father General Aung San's friendship with Nehru. Suu Kyi reached out to the people of India, saying, "We hope that in the last phase of our struggle, people of India will stand by us and walk by us on the path that they were able to proceed on many years ago.'' Asked about her expectations from India as well as her disappointments on her visit to the country. "I have thought about it carefully and realized that expectations and disappointment are not something we can indulge in," she said, before adding that she had indeed been saddened by India's conduct. As she invited her to deliver the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial lecture, Sonia Gandhi described her as "one of the most remarkable figures of our time" saying she had imbibed the best of the
Aung San Suu Kyi along with MoS for HRD Shashi Tharoor listening to a song being performed by college girls during a visit to Lady Sri Ram College (LSR) in New Delhi
East and the West. "She exemplifies all qualities he (Nehru) most admired: fearlessness, integrity, moral and intellectual courage, perseverance, freedom from anger and bitterness and unqualified devotion to betterment of the life of her people through the path of dialogue and national reconciliation," Sonia said. She said Indian people revere Suu Kyi for the sacrifices she has made. Sonia recalled how on receiving the news of the assassination of Suu Kyi's father, Nehru had written to her mother saying he had lost a friend who was looked at with hope by Burma and Asia. "You are the worthy inheritor of a noble father's legacy," she said.
Her inspiration During her meeting with Prime
Congress President Sonia Gandhi claps after felicitating Myanmar’s opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi who delivered the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial lecture in New Delhi on November 14
with you as indeed with your struggle for democracy. We admire you for the indomitable courage you have shown," he told her. At the meeting, which was held
Dr. Singh praised Ms. Suu Kyi for her "indomitable" courage and unwavering resolve for democracy in Myanmar. "Our good wishes are with you as indeed with your struggle for democracy. We admire you for the indomitable courage you have shown," he told her Minister Manmohan Singh, Suu Kyi discussed a variety of issues, including the national reconciliation process under way in her country and the process of democratization in this context. At the half-hour meeting, Dr. Singh expressed his happiness in receiving Ms. Suu Kyi and appreciated the progress made by her and President Thien Sien. Dr. Singh praised Ms. Suu Kyi for her "indomitable" courage and unwavering resolve for democracy in Myanmar. "Our good wishes are
without the presence of aides, the leaders agreed for need to have greater cooperation between the parliaments and judiciaries of the two countries. Giving details of the meeting, senior government officials said the Prime Minister and Ms. Suu Kyi also agreed that people-topeople relations were important. Later in the day, delivering the Nehru Memorial Lecture on the 123rd birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister, Suu Kyi
given me many opportunities to thank people, governments, and organizations for support to the democracy cause in Burma. Today I wish to thank you for the Jawaharlal Nehru memorial prize that was given to me in 1995 when I was released from the first term of my house arrest," she began. Dressed in a yellow and purple traditional Burmese dress with yellow flowers arranged in her hair, Ms. Suu Kyi said the thoughts and actions of leaders of the Indian independence movement inspired the movement in Burma and that their pro-democracy movement was firmly based on non-violence. Reflecting on her memories of Jawaharlal Nehru, she said she remembered him more as a father figure to her parents and little as a statesman. "To my infant mind he was the kindly old man who provided my father two sets of uniforms, the smartest that he had," she said, narrating the story of how her father Aung San had stayed with Nehru as his personal
'India looked at its own greater good, not Myanmar's' BANGALORE: India adopted a policy of pragmatic politics towards her pro-democracy movement keeping in mind New Delhi's own interests rather than people of Myanmar, Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi said here. During an interaction with students of Indian Institute of Science here, she, however, said she has warm feelings towards India, adding, some of her best and close friends are Indians. On India's stand towards her movement back home, she said she is practical, remarking "politics is politics" and it has to be pragmatic. India looked at its own greater good rather than the
greater good of another country (Myanmar). "This is something I accept", the champion of democracy hastened to add. "But I am very confident that relations between our two countries will improve because there is certain affinity between our two people". Suu Kyi defended her peaceful struggle for democracy in Myanmar, saying violent ways would inflict many wounds which would take a long time to heal. "I believe in peaceful transfer of power". She said she draws strength and courage from her commitment to the cause. "Cause comes above every thing else".
Suu Kyi also pitched for promotion of science among the youth. "Science promotes healthy curiosity. Science teaches you to ask 'why'". "Teaching of science in my country has deteriorated greatly during the last few decades. Not just teaching of science but education in general", she said, adding, the standard of education needs to be raised in Myanmar so that the country takes its "rightful place" in the world. "...and there have been times when I regretted the fact that I did not choose science rather than liberal arts, humanities if you like", Suu Kyi added. -PTI
Aung San Suu Kyi interacts with women during her visit to Papasanahalli village in Ananthpur district of Andhara Pradesh
spoke about the influence of Indian leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the principles that guided India's freedom struggle and how they inspired her as she continues to strive for a democratic Myanmar. "These past few months have
guest while on his way to London to negotiate Burmese independence. Throughout her speech, Ms. Suu Kyi linked Nehru's experiences to her own and reflected on the part of their lives that were spent as political prisoners.
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India big part of his plans, Obama tells Singh PHNOM PENH: "India is a big part of my plans," US President Barack Obama said here as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated him in person on his re-election. Singh, who came face-to-face with Obama on three occasions here after he was re-elected President in the November 6 polls in the US, told him: "Congratulations on your re-election." The two leaders, who attended the East Asia Summit and the retreat in the Cambodian capital, shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. After Obama's re-election, Singh had said he looked forward to continuing their "friendship" and "rewarding association" as much more can be done together to further strengthen the bilateral partnership. In his congratulatory message to Obama, Singh had referred to the association between the two leaders over the past four years and recalled that cooperation between the two countries had not only been advanced across the full spectrum of ties but engagement had been deepened. "Dear Mr President, it gives me great pleasure to convey to you my warmest congratulations on your re-election as the President
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama shake hands at the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 20
of the United States," Singh's letter had said. Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon held a 90-minute meeting with his US counterpart Tom Donilon here
and discussed bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest. Sources said it was a very fruitful interaction on several issues of mutual interest. -PTI
Japan to give fresh infra loan of $22.6 bn PHNOM PENH: Japan will give a fresh loan of about USD 22.6 billion for the second phase of Dedicated Freight Corridor and an infrastructure project in South India, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda today told his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh as they met here, making up for an opportunity lost a few days ago. Singh, while welcoming the announcement of loan, emphasized to Noda that India's priority was investments by Japanese companies in infrastructure projects like Delhi Metro Rail, which was a "fine example" other cities want to emulate. The two leaders were to meet in Tokyo on November 16 during Singh's scheduled three-day visit beginning November 15 for annual Summit. However, the visit was cancelled just a day ahead in view of sudden political developments in Japan with Noda deciding to announce elections. During the meeting on the sidelines of East Asia Summit, Noda expressed happiness at being able to meet Singh to underline the close Strategic and Global Partner-
Manmohan Singh at the bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda
ship between the two countries, sources said. He told Singh that he wanted to discuss the next steps in the relationship since they could not meet in Tokyo for the Annual Summit due to domestic developments in Japan, they said. Noda informed Singh that Japan will be announcing the second
round of loans under Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) for the second phase of the Dedicated Freight Corridor and a third infrastructural project in South India, where Japanese companies have a good presence, the sources said. The fresh loan amount is expected to be 184 billion yen, approximately USD 22 billion.-PTI
New China leadership to give importance to ties with India PHNOM PENH: China's new leadership will accord great importance to relations with India, outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh during a meeting here. Wen said he cherished working with Singh over the last eight years during which they met for 14 times. The new Chinese leadership
Trade imbalance Singh invited Chinese investments in the infrastructure sector while conveying India's concerns over trade imbalance to his counterpart Wen Jiabao, who said this could be addressed "gradually". India and China will be holding the second Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) in Delhi later this month with an aim of
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shakes hands with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during a Bilateral Meeting
will give "great importance" to enhancing business engagement relations with India, Foreign between the two of the fastest Secretary Ranjan Mathai growing economies, significantly quoted Wen as saying. at a time when the western world "We established good work- is facing crisis. ing relationship and friendship After the SED, a date will be between us. This is reflection of decided for the next round of talks friendship between our two great between Special Representatives nations," Wen told Singh on the of the two countries on boundary sidelines of the ASEAN Summit and other issues, to be held in here in the Cambodian capital. China shortly. Singh and Wen have met 14 Singh emphasized that he was times earlier and the Chinese Premier said this “This is possibly the last meetmeeting could be the last as he ing between us in my remainwould be demit- ing tenure," 70-year-old Chiting office in nese leader said, while referMarch. "This is possi- ring to the change of leaderbly the last meet- ship in China under which he ing between us in my remaining ten- will demit office in March ure," 70-year-old Chinese leader said, while refer- committed to working for realizaring to the change of leadership tion of "full potential" of economic in China under which he will de- cooperation between the two mit office in March. countries, Mathai said. Wen is expected to be reSingh referred to Indian exports placed by Li Keqiang as Premier. and "emphasized the need for Singh hailed Wen's personal greater market access for Indian exendeavor to make the bilateral ports particularly in areas of Serrelationship "stronger, wider vices, IT and Pharma", Mathai said. and deeper". "The Prime Minister also welHe specifically referred to comed Chinese investment in inWen's two visits to India in 2005 frastructure sector which he said and 2010, saying these helped would help create employment and make the ties "stronger". help bridging trade deficit be"I personally value working tween the two countries." Mathai with you," Singh told Wen. said. -PTI
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India an important strategic partner of US: Ami Bera SACRAMENTO: California-based physician Ami Bera, who created history by becoming only the third Indian-American to get elected to the US House of Representatives, has termed India as an important strategic partner of the US.
"I travelled to India. India is the world's largest democracy, and one of the world's largest economies. It's an important strategic partner to the US and the two countries have a history of collaboration on many regional and global issues," the Congress-
man-elect said in an interview. Bera asserted that New Delhi should continue with its strategic partnership with Washington and the country should remain a market destination for US goods and services.
The 47-year-old doctor who has lobbied for better public healthcare, was born in California to parents who emigrated from India in the 1950s. He is married and has a daughter In one of the most competitive races in the country, Mr. Bera defeated Republican incumbent Dan Lungren to represent California's seventh congressional district, in suburban Sacramento. Mr. Bera, a 47-year-old doctor who has lobbied for better public healthcare, was born in California to parents who emigrated from India in the 1950s. He is married and has a daughter. On the state of affairs in his own country and the debate over outsourcing of jobs to countries like India, Bera said lawmakers in Congress must first focus on rebuilding America, restoring economic foundation and sparking development of industries and good jobs that are not easily outsourced. "Next, we must strengthen our workforce, and eliminate tax loopholes that reward companies for sending jobs overseas. Most critically, we must revamp our trade strategy. We need trade rules that help facilitate moving American products into new markets, creating jobs here. If done correctly, strengthening our trade relationship with India will create jobs here in America," he said. 47-year-old Bera is only the third IndianAmerican to have been elected to the US House of Representatives after Dalip Singh Saundh in 1950 and Bobby Jindal in 2005. His campaign benefited from the financial support of Indian-Americans in California, a state where this community has a significant presence. This was the second time Mr. Bera ran for office, after Mr. Lungren narrowly defeated him in 2010. Of the six Indian-American candidates who stood for election in the November election, Mr. Bera is the only one who secured a congressional seat. Replying to a message of congratulations from FIA chairman Dr Romesh Japra, Ami Bera said, "To the hundreds of folks who worked so hard and volunteered their time and the thousands whom I have never met but shared their faith and belief in me; thank you. We Did It. I am deeply humbled to be your next Congressman. We will move forward in the same way that we got here. Together. This is a victory that we can all share in and be proud of. "On behalf of myself, Janine, and Syd; thank you for believing in what is possible."
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Jindal, other Republican Govs to accept Obamacare WASHINGTON: After a hardfought campaign against 'Obamacare' during elections, many Republican governors, including Indian-American Bobby Jindal, are reluctantly opening the door to the controversial legislation, aimed at reducing the overall costs of health care in the US. Jindal, the Indian-American governor of Louisiana, Rick Perry in Texas, John Kasich in Ohio and Scott Walker in Wisconsin, among others, are to invite the federal government to set up a health insurance exchange in their states under the law they derided as 'Obamacare' not long ago. "These Republican governors, and more than a dozen others in red states around the country, have decided it's better to have 'Obamacare' forced on them than to legitimize it by setting up their own exchanges, even if that means empowering the federal government at the expense of the states," the Politico said. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly called 'Obamacare', is aimed primarily at decreasing the number of uninsured Americans and reducing the overall costs of health care. It provides a number
of mechanisms, including mandates, subsidies, and tax credits to employers and individuals in order to increase the coverage rate. Jindal, 41, a health policy expert by trade, was quoted by the Huffington Post as saying that
while he's not going to set up an exchange, he hopes that Obama's second term will bring more cooperation between the federal government and the states on a range of health care issues. "We are certainly going to go to the president and give him a
chance to actually be bipartisan and give him a chance to give us the flexibility to bring more market-based competition and ideas into health care programs, and I hope he'll work with us to do that," Jindal said. It's a stick in the eye of a just
re-elected President, whose healthcare plan is still opposed by about half the country and an indication that some Republican governors have no intention of backing down just because President Barack Obama won another four years. -PTI
BALASAHEB’S SENA: Crowd gathered to attend funeral of Shiv Sena Chief Balasaheb Thackeray at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai on November 18
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Obama inducted record number Sunita Williams returns of Indian-Americans to Earth from ISS WASHINGTON: The small Indian-American community - constituting just about one per cent of the US population never had it so good as under the Obama Administration, with a record number of community members being roped in to head top administrative positions. President Barack Obama recognizing the immense talent and potential of this community numbering about 3.1 million, not only appointed a record number of IndianAmericans to his administration, but also there is hardly any major wing of the US government ranging from his own White House to departments of State, Treasury, Defense and Commerce that some of the key positions are not being held by an Indian-American. While there is no official or unofficial figure of the number of Indian-Americans appointed by Obama in his administration in the first four years of his Administration, it is estimated that the list could easily be at least a few dozens or even touch the half a century mark. This is a far cry from the Regan Administration when the first Indian Americans was appointed to a senior administration post to his administrations. In 1987, Regan appointed Joy Cherian to Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. He later on went on to become its Commissioner from 1990 to 1994. And in 1990, Sambhu Banik, a Bethesda psychologist, was appointed as executive director of the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. Indian Americans have come a long way since them and have traveled quite a distance under
the Obama Administration. Obama, who four years ago became the first African American to have been elected as US President, appointed Raj Shah, as administrator of USAID the highest ranking Indian American in any administration. Vinai Thummalapally, the US Ambassador to Belize, became the first Indian-American Ambassador in the US history. Highly talented, Vikram Singh in his capacity as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
There is hardly any major wing of the US government ranging from his own White House to departments of State, Treasury, Defense and Commerce that some of the key positions are not being held by an Indian-American South and Southeast Asia (SSEA) is the highest ranking Indian American official in the Pentagon. The anti-terrorism and antiWall Street crusade of Preet Bharara, the US Attorney, who is another Obama appointee, is well known. Subra Suresh in his capacity as Director of the National Science Foundation, the agency responsible for promoting science and engineering through research programs and education projects, overseas billions of dollars in sci-
entific research. Towards the fag end of the first term of the Obama Administration at least two dozen Indian Americans were working at senior positions in the Obama Administration. While Nisha Biswal, is Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia, in the USAID; Islam Siddiqui having the rank of an Ambassador is Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the US Trade Representative (USTR); Priya Aiyar serves as the Deputy General Counsel for Environment and Nuclear Programs in the Department of Energy. Among other Indian Americans currently holding important posts in the Obama Administration include Mythili Raman (Department of Justice), Subhasri Ramanathan, Counselor to the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Sri Srinivasan, Principal Deputy Solicitor General in Department of Justice; Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), Nealesh Kemkar, Deputy Counselor to the Secretary in the Department of Interior; and Lopa P Kolluri, who is Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Strategy in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Taara Rangarajan is Special Assistant to Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the UN; Atman Trivedi serves as Senior Advisor in the Bureau of International Security and Non-Proliferation (ISN); Jeremy Bernton is Priority Placement Director; Rachana "Ruchi" Bhowmik is the Deputy Assistant to the US President and Deputy Cabinet Secretary in the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs.-PTI
A L M AT Y / H O U S T O N : Record-setting Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams along with two fellow cosmonauts has safely returned to Earth from the ISS, touching down on the steppes of Kazakhstan, after spending four months in orbit.
They sat in reclining seats under thick blankets to stay warm in the frigid cold before being moved to an inflatable medical tent for post-landing checks. The crew's physical condition was "normal" after the landing, a mission control spokesman was
International Space Station crew member US astronaut Sunita Williams, right, smiles shortly after landing in a Soyuz capsule outside the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, November 19
Williams, who commanded the International Space Station's Expedition 33 mission, and two astronauts, Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Aki Hoshide, touched down in the dark, chilly expanses in the town of Arkalyk on board the Russian Soyuz capsule. NASA spokesman Rob Navias said during the landing commentary, "The crew is home." Williams, 47, Russian cosmonaut Malenchenko and Japanese astronaut Hoshide sported broad smiles after being extracted from their capsule.
quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying. Some of the Soyuz's landing activities occurred a few seconds late, causing it to overshoot its landing site, but Russian recovery teams were able to compensate for the change during the descent, Navias said. The return of Williams, Hoshide and Malenchenko wrapped up a 127-day space journey, including 125 days spent aboard the ISS, since their launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 15 this year.-PTI
INDIAN LUNCHEON: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President UNGA and Indian Ambassador to UN Hardeep Singh Puri along with the World Ambassadors during a luncheon hosted by Ambassador Puri at Permanent Mission of India on 14th November. -Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
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San Antonio Mayor to lead trade delegation to India
Julian Castro
WASHINGTON: Mayor of the Texas city of San Antonio, Julian Castro - considered a rising star of the US Democrat Party - would lead a trade delegation to India early next year. The nearly two-week trade delegation being organized by Alamo Asian Chamber of Commerce beginning January 21 would take Castro and his accompanying businessmen to Hyderabad, Chennai and New Delhi. The Chamber manages sister city relationship between San Antonio and Chennai. Some 20 people representing various city and government bodies, trade bodies and corporate leaders are expected to travel with the San Antonio Mayor. -PTI
Florida city names Kashmiri Hindu Heritage Day WASHINGTON: A Florida city has declared November 17 as the 'Kashmiri Hindu Heritage Day', in recognition of the resilience of Kashmiri Hindus who were displaced from their homeland two decades back. The proclamation in this regard was issued by Andre Pierre, Mayor of the City of North Miami one of the largest cities in South Florida. "We in North Miami, which has such a wonderful diversity, are glad that we are part of this function that showcases Kashmiri Hindu culture," Pierre said as he handed the proclamation to the city's Kashmiri community. The proclamation noted that 500,000 Kashmiri Hindus were dislodged by acts of terrorism and many of them migrated to the USA and today 22 years later, a majority of them have not returned to their place of birth due to fear but have retained and preserved their 5000 year old art, culture and cuisine. A function in this regard was sponsored and organized by author Chandramukhi Ganju, with the support of Kashmir Hindu Foundation and North Miami Library. -PTI
Pak-trained al-Qaeda operative sentenced to life NEW YORK: An al-Qaeda operative, who on the direction of the terror group's leaders in Pakistan conspired to bomb the city's subway systems, Times Square and New York Stock Exchange in one of the most serious plots since the 9/11 attacks, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Queens resident Adis Medunjanin, 34 and his accomplices came within days of executing a plot to conduct coordinated suicide bombings in the New York City subway system in September 2009, as directed by senior al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Loretta Lynch said. He also discussed with his coconspirators possible target locations in Manhattan, including the subway system, Grand Central Terminal, the New York Stock Exchange, Times Square and movie theaters. Assistant Attorney General for
National Security Lisa Monaco termed Medunjanin's plot as "one of the most serious terrorist plots against the US homeland since 9/11". Lynch said when Medunjanin's terror plot was foiled, he attempted to commit a terrorist attack by crashing his car on a New
plan to spread terror within our shores. Instead, he will now spend the rest of his life where he belongs, behind bars," Lynch said. According to the government's evidence at trial, Medunjanin and his co-plotters Najibullah Zazi and Zarein
Queens resident Adis Medunjanin, 34 and his accomplices came within days of executing a plot to conduct coordinated suicide bombings in the New York City subway system in September 2009, as directed by senior al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan York expressway to kill himself and others. Medunjanin was sentenced to life imprisonment for multiple federal terrorism offenses here. "Medunjanin sought martyrdom for himself and death for innocent New Yorkers as part of al Qaeda's
Ahmedzay traveled to Afghanistan in 2008 to join the Taliban and kill US military personnel abroad. They arrived in Pakistan in late August 2008 but Medunjanin and Ahmedzay were turned back at the Afghanistan border. Within days, Medunjanin, Zazi, and Ahmedzay
met with an al Qaeda facilitator in Peshawar and agreed to travel to Waziristan for terrorist training. In Waziristan, they met al Qaeda leaders Saleh al-Somali, then the head of the group's external operations, and Rashid Rauf, a high-ranking al-Qaeda operative, who explained that the three would be more useful to al Qaeda and the jihad by returning to New York and conducting terrorist attacks. They received al Qaeda training in Pakistan on how to use various types of high-powered weapons, including the AK-47, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launcher. During the training, al Qaeda leaders continued to encourage Medunjanin and his fellow plotters to return to the US to conduct a "martyrdom" operation and emphasized the need to hit wellknown targets and maximize number of casualties.-PTI
Shaheen says will not visit Facebook, 9 held for vandalism MUMBAI: One of the girls held for posting comments on 'Facebook' questioning the shutdown in the city for Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray's funeral said she will never again visit the social networking site while police arrested 9 Shiv Sainiks for vandalizing her uncle's clinic. Shaheen Dhada and Renu were arrested for posting comments opposing the Mumbai shutdown. However, they were granted bail after they furnished personal bonds, police said. "So far, we have arrested nine persons in connection with ransacking the clinic of Abdul Dhada.
We are looking for some more people," SP Thane rural Ravindra Sengaokar told PTI. Shaheen said police was polite to her and she had no complaints against any police personnel." I have apologized for the post," she
said adding that whatever happened was unfair. However, Shaheen said she would never use the social media network henceforth. She had no comments to offer on whether she had done anything wrong. She
Shaheen Dhada and Renu were arrested for posting comments opposing the Mumbai shutdown. However, they were granted bail after they furnished personal bonds, police said. Shaheen said police was polite to her and she had no complaints
described Thackeray as a "great guy" whom she "truly respected". Shaheen had allegedly commented on Facebook that one should not observe bandh for Thackeray's funeral. "We should remember Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev," the post said. Her friend Renu, who was arrested for 'liking' the post, felt that she was "wrongfully" arrested. Renu said, "I regret what I did. This should not have happened. I never dreamt that I would be in court. What we did was not a crime. Now I will think twice before posting anything on Facebook." -PTI
GENERAL BOOK: Arunachal Pradesh Governor General J J Singh's autobiography "A Soldier's General" was released at Indian Consulate in New York on November 14. (From left) Ajay Banga, President and Chief Executive Officer MasterCard ,Mrs JJ Singh, Consul General of India Prabhu Dayal, General J.J. Singh, Tejinder Bindra, President of the Sikh Art & Film Foundation, Sant Singh Chatwal and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar. Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia
„ Health
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Beebe: Medicaid expansion can spare nursing homes LITTLE ROCK, Ark.: Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has said that expanding Medicaid eligibility under the federal health care law would be the best way to avoid removing thousands of people from nursing home care, but he's open to other ideas. A day after state officials detailed a series of proposed cuts under a plan to fill a $138 million shortfall in the state Medicaid program's budget, Beebe said he wanted to find a way to avoid the nursing home reductions. Department of Human Services officials have proposed eliminating the lowest level of nursing home care under the state program, a $35 million cut that would affect between 10,000 and 15,000 seniors. -AP
„ Louisiana tells HHS won't run insurance exchange BATON ROUGE, La.: Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has sent formal notification to federal officials that Louisiana won't create its own health insurance market as provided by the national health care overhaul. Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein mailed the letter telling the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that Louisiana will leave it to the federal government to run the state's health insurance exchange. The exchanges, scheduled to launch in January 2014, will allow people and small businesses to shop for private coverage from a range of competing insurers. -AP
„ EPA report troubles Ohio cancer cluster families CLYDE, Ohio: Soil samples showing high levels of a chemical believed to increase the risk of certain cancers were found at a former park in an area of northern Ohio where cancer has sickened dozens of children for more than a decade, according to environmental regulators. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report on the findings, though, doesn't link the contaminants with the cancer cluster that has been under investigation by state and federal agencies for more than six years. Nearly 40 young people have been diagnosed with cancer since the mid1990s in the area. -AP
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New Mexico moves ahead with health exchange SANTA FE, N.M.: Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is moving ahead to establish a state-run clearinghouse to help small businesses and tens of thousands of individuals find affordable health insurance they currently lack. Details on page 14
California health board OKs plan for insurance exchange SACRAMENTO, Calif.: The board overseeing California's efforts to establish an insurance marketplace for providing affordable health care has approved its operational blueprint, an essential step toward meeting a key deadline under the federal health care reform law. The governor's office is expected to forward the plan to the Obama administration. The deadline for states to submit an operational plan, as California is doing, has been extended to mid-December. ``We don't need more time,'' said Peter Lee, the board's executive director. ``We've been working feverishly over the past year, we're excited about going forward, and that blueprint is a big deal.'' The action by the California Health Benefit Exchange board, which changed its name last month to Covered California, kicks off a sprint toward the Jan. 1, 2014, deadline for states to have health insurance exchanges up and running. In 2010, California became the first state to authorize a health insurance exchange after passage of the federal Affordable Care Act. It is expected to offer affordable care to some 3 million uninsured Californians, although Lee said a realistic coverage figure by 2017 is closer to 2.3 million. Another 1.2 million to 1.6 mil-
lion Californians are expected to be covered under expanded Medicaid provisions. Small-business owners who find it difficult to provide health coverage to their employees also are a prime target of the coming marketplace. ``This is a big moment for California going forward,'' Lee said, shortly before the board unanimously approved the blueprint and an application for more than
that have indicated they intend to submit bids. Diana Dooley, the board's chairwoman, said the state has made great progress so far in creating a health care marketplace, but said the upcoming year will be fast-paced. Board members noted that California has more uninsured residents roughly 7 million than the entire population of some states. One of the exchange's key challenges between now and the time
One of the exchange's key challenges between now and the time open enrollment begins is to explain to Californians how they will be affected by the reforms and how this new part of state government will work $700 million in federal grant money. One of the five members of the exchange board, Dr. Robert Ross, was absent. Some states may opt out, meaning the federal government will step in and operate their insurance marketplace, while others will create an exchange in conjunction with the federal government. Until open enrollment begins next October, Covered California will hire staff, set up the exchange, begin educating the public about how it will work and select health plans to participate from the 33
open enrollment begins is to explain to Californians how they will be affected by the reforms and how this new part of state government will work. California's ethnic diversity also will be a challenge in getting out the message. The exchange's marketing effort will provide outreach material in 13 languages. ``It's still a very heavy lift,'' said Dooley, who also is the secretary of the state Health and Human Services Agency. She and Lee expressed relief that President Barack Obama had
been re-elected, because Republicans had vowed to repeal the health care overhaul if they had won the White House. ``At least some of the uncertainty that we faced is now behind us,'' she said. Covered California's chief mission is to expand coverage by providing low-cost but affordable health care using federal tax subsidies and credits. The marketplace it is establishing will allow consumers to compare plans and prices online. Under the federal law, consumers will be required to have insurance or pay a penalty, the so-called individual mandate. By 2016, that penalty will be $695 a year per family member, or $347 for dependents under age 18. In addition to initiating the exchange, California has taken some key steps under the federal health care law. They include banning insurers from refusing coverage for children with pre-existing illnesses and allowing young people to remain on their parents' plans through age 26. The board also approved a plan for Covered California to be financially self-sufficient by January 2015, partly through assessments on insurers. It is seeking a federal grant of about $706 million to cover its expenses over the next two years. -AP
Over 50 million Indians suffer from diabetes DUBAI: There are now more people living with diabetes in Asia than elsewhere and India is among the list of top five countries with the most diabetes sufferers in 2009, organizers of World Diabetes Day have said quoting World Health Organization (WHO) figures. According to them, more than 347 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide. Since diabetes can be silent and symptoms can easily go unnoticed, early detection and good management can prevent complications. International Diabetes Foundation indicates that the top five countries with the most diabetes sufferers in 2009 were: India 50.8 million, China 43.1 million, USA 26.8 million, Russia 9.6 million and Brazil 7.6 million.
It is predicted that the number of adults affected by diabetes will almost double from 32.6 million to 51.7 million in 2030 in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes, its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness and how it is managed. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the WHO, it is celebrated on November 14 to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients. Long-term effects of diabetes can include blindness, gangrene, renal failure and heart disease. Globally diabetes is consuming an ever greater portion of medical costs, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of all health care spending according to the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice in 2010. -PTI
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New meningitis vaccine can be stored at room temp
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n a remarkable breakthrough that could be a major blow against meningitis in poor countries, researchers say that WHO has given the green light to a key vaccine which can be transported or stored for up to four days without refrigeration. This is remarkable keeping in mind that countries like Senegal and Ethiopia where the deadly infection often breaks out has no electricity, especially in rural areas. This will allow the vaccine to be stored for long stretches without losing its efficacy. The vaccine called MenAfriVac which was made by the Indian company Serum Institute costs less than 50 cent per dose and can be stored at temperatures as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 deg C) for four days. 'Reaching the millions of children in last mile communities like those in rural Africa continues to challenge us,' said Dr Orin Levine, director of vaccine delivery at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 'The potential for some vaccines to remain safely outside the cold chain for short periods of time has been widely known for over 20 years,' said Michel Zaffran, director of a nonprofit collaboration with the WHO aimed at improving immunization systems and technologies. He expected this announcement will lead
to other vaccines being tested so that they can be stored without refrigeration. The findings, from a study of the vaccine carried out by Health Canada and confirmed by the World Health Organization Vaccines
"Our findings show that the bacteria causing meningitis A have disappeared from the noses and throats of those too old or too young to have received the vaccine, resulting from a phenomenon known as 'herd immunity,'' said Marie-Pierre Preziosi, director of the Meningitis Vaccine Project. Pre-Qualification Program and the Drugs Controller General of India - were unveiled at a conference in Atlanta. Another research showed that the vaccine has been effective in reducing men-
ingitis in Burkina Faso, the first country to introduce the vaccine in 2010. Not only was the disease not noticed in the vaccinated children but those that hadn't received the vaccine it also didn't have the disease. Just two years later, the bacteria that causes meningitis A had been eliminated, not only in those who received the vaccine, but in others around them. "Our findings show that the bacteria causing meningitis A have disappeared from the noses and throats of those too old or too young to have received the vaccine, resulting from a phenomenon known as 'herd immunity,'' said Marie-Pierre Preziosi, director of the Meningitis Vaccine Project. 'And we can also show that after introduction in Burkina Faso, we saw the lowest level of epidemic meningitis in 15 years,' added Preziosi, the lead author of the study, which will appear in Clinical Infection Diseases. Meningitis A is a bacterial infection that affects the membrane of the brain. It can cause brain lesions and has a 50 percent fatality rate when left untreated, according to the WHO. Viral meningitis is generally less severe, with most patients fully recovering on their own within a week or two. -health.india.com
Blame it on lifestyle, diabetes rising among children COIMBATORE: Kushboo V, a class 12 student of a city school, became diabetic when she was just 9 years old. Her craving for soft drinks, doctors told her, was the main cause for her health condition. Kushboo is not an exception. According to doctors, the number of children diagnosed as diabetic in the city is fast rising. November 14 is not only children's day but also World Diabetes Day and according to doctors' a number of children with diabetics are reported from the city. Dr V Sekar, chief consultant at the Coimbatore Diabetes Foundation, says every month they get around 10 to 15 fresh cases of diabetic children below 15 years. "Recently, we even received the case of a one-and-half year-old baby boy with diabetes. His parents would always give him soft drinks, and here he was," he says. Too much fast food and soft drinks to a sedentary life style doctors say that there are several reasons for the surge in the number of cases. Experts say that the worrying trend is when earlier diabetic children had diabetes type I, now many are coming with type II. While the exact reason of diabetes type I is unknown and cannot be prevented, type II is preventable. Cont’d on page 15
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New Mexico moves ahead with health exchange SANTA FE, N.M.: Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is moving ahead to establish a state-run clearinghouse to help small businesses and tens of thousands of individuals find affordable health insurance they currently lack. A fight over the exchange, however, could break out in next year's Legislature. Attorney General Gary King's office is reviewing whether new legislation is needed to implement a health insurance exchange or whether it can be done as the Republican governor plans, without a change in current law or legislative involvement. The exchange is envisioned as an online shopping center for the uninsured to buy health coverage from a selection of plans offered by insurance companies with benefits tailored to New Mexico. It's to be ready to enroll people starting next October and under federal law must be fully operating by January 2014. That year, an estimated 55,000 New Mexicans may use it to enroll in an insurance plan. Some states waited for the out-
come of the presidential election to make a decision, but New Mexico has been working since last year on an exchange plan. ``Overall, we never really wavered from the idea that it needs to be a state exchange,'' Human Services Secretary Sidonie Squier said in an interview.
thing that we think is unique to New Mexico and works for New Mexico,'' said Squier. A fifth of the state's population lacks health care, and it's estimated as many as 250,000 New Mexicans may become eligible to buy health insurance through the exchange between 2014 and 2020. Under the federal law, unin-
profit public corporation established in 1994 to provide access to insurance for small businesses and some individuals. The alliance is funded by an assessment on insurance companies. The state received a $34 million federal grant for an exchange, with almost $24 million earmarked for a computer system that will be used
Martinez doesn't plan to establish a new agency to run the exchange. Instead, the exchange will be operated by the New Mexico Health Insurance Alliance, a nonprofit public corporation established in 1994 to provide access to insurance for small businesses and some individuals Gov. Susana Martinez
Under a 2010 law championed by President Barack Obama to expand health care coverage, states can run an exchange, leave that task to the federal government or partner with federal health officials. ``We wanted to build some-
sured individuals and families can receive subsidies to reduce the amount they pay for insurance. Small businesses can be eligible for a tax credit to help provide medical coverage for workers. Martinez doesn't plan to establish a new agency to run the exchange. Instead, the exchange will be operated by the New Mexico Health Insurance Alliance, a non-
by uninsured New Mexicans to shop for health plans in the marketplace. The alliance plans to award a contract for the computer system in early January. Squier said the administration doesn't believe legislation is necessary to implement the exchange because it can be handled through the alliance. However, the attorney general's
office is reviewing whether the Legislature must authorize an exchange and approve changes in law for the alliance to operate it. ``We do have some serious concerns,'' Phil Sisneros, a spokesman for King, said. Martinez vetoed an exchange proposal approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature last year. She said the measure was premature. Sen. Dede Feldman, an Albuquerque Democrat, said the alliance's governing board needs more consumer and employee representation rather than being tilted in favor of the insurance industry. There also are questions whether the alliance's current mission focuses on a much narrower segment of uninsured individuals than the exchange must handle. Most of the alliance's board is appointed by the governor. House Republican Leader Tom Taylor of Farmington said Martinez can fix any problems by selecting more consumer representatives for the board. ``I think we're in fine shape,'' said Taylor.-AP
Congress slams US health officials Spurt in diabetes cases tied to obesity, poor diet on tainted drugs WASHINGTON: US lawmakers slammed federal and state health officials for failing to properly police a pharmacy whose tainted drugs caused a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak. "This tragedy could have been avoided," said Congressman Cliff Stearns, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee's oversight and investigations panel. The Florida Republican cited a litany of complaints against the New England Compounding Centre and problems found during inspections over the past decade that were insufficiently investigated. One such incident was when the Food and Drug Administration received reports in 2002 that patients receiving NECC steroid injections had experienced "adverse events," including "meningitislike" symptoms. "The product in question was the very same product connected to the current outbreak. In that case, the NECC drug was contaminated with bacteria," Stearns said. While the FDA inspected NECC's Massachusetts facility in response to the complaints, that did not prevent more patients from getting sick from the same
drugs six months later. At a 2003 meeting with Massachusetts health officials - who hold primary responsibility for regulating pharmacies in their state - Stearns said the FDA made a "prophetic statement." "The FDA stated that there was
vention. The outbreak has led to calls for tighter regulation of the loosely controlled pharmaceutical compounding industry. Federal investigators have launched a criminal probe into the case.
Congressman Cliff Stearns
the potential for serious public health consequences if NECC's compounding practices, in particular those relating to sterile products, are not improved," Stearns said. Some 461 people have been sickened - and 32 of them have died - after receiving injections of NECC's tainted steroids, according to the latest tally by the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
"Even though FDA was clearly aware of the risks posed by NECC's compounding practices, the agency was slow to act," Stearns said. It took the agency four years to issue a warning letter based on problems it found with NECC's sterility practices in 2002 and two more years for the FDA to respond to the company's claims challenging the report. -PTI
S
amaira Khan, 32, developed diabetes when she was only 27 years old. "I used to weigh 90kg. While genes were partially responsible, it was my love for eating good food that caused the real problem," she said. Khan, who is an engineer with a multi-national firm, said she had a difficult time coping with diabetes. "I could not come to terms with the fact that I had to completely do away with sugar. The first time I was diagnosed, my sugar levels were over 400 mg/dL (normally, the levels should be less than 110 mg/dL). Kaushambi-resident Mridula K Verma, 24, who has had Type 1 diabetes since she was four years old, says she has learnt how to hand her sugar levels. "At school, my sugar levels would fluctuate and I had to be careful when I was on insulin injections," she says. "Pumps have made diabetes management easy," Mridula adds. Rising numbers One in every five patients at any general clinic has diabetes. "Poor eating habits, obesity and lack of physical exercise are triggering the rise in the number of young diabetic cases," says Vikas Ahluwalia, senior consultant, internal medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket. Researchers have now identi-
fied a gene called myostatin, which leads Indians to have more body fat and low muscle mass, factors important for genesis of diabetes, lipid disorders and heart diseases.
"Poor eating habits, obesity and lack of physical exercise are triggering the rise in the number of young diabetic cases," says Vikas Ahluwalia, senior consultant, internal medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket. "In this study, we clearly show that there is a genetic basis of not only low muscle but also more fat in Indians," said Dr Surya Prakash Bhatt, co-investigator of the study and researcher at AIIMS. The study was published online in Journal Plos One (USA). Rent-a-pump, mom One in 10 pregnant women develops diabetes in their second trimester. In the past six months, a pilot project at Indraprastha Cont’d on page 15
November 30, 2012
Health Science Post
India Post
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Booze calories nearly equal soda's for US adults
NEW YORK: Americans get too many calories from soda. But what about alcohol? It turns out adults get almost as many empty calories from booze as from soft drinks, a government study found. Soda and other sweetened drinks the focus of obesity-fighting public health campaigns are the source of about 6 percent of the calories adults consume, on average. Alcoholic beverages account for about 5 percent, the new study found. ``We've been focusing on sugar-sweetened beverages. This is something new,'' said Cynthia Ogden, one of the study's authors. She's an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The government researchers say the findings deserve attention because, like soda, alcohol contains few nutrients but plenty of calories. The study is based on interviews with more than 11,000 U.S. adults from 2007 through 2010. Participants were asked extensive questions about what they ate and drank over the previous 24 hours. The study found: On any given day, about onethird of men and one-fifth of women consumed calories from
beer, wine or liquor. Averaged out to all adults, the average guy drinks 150 calories from alcohol each day, or the equivalent of a can of Budweiser. The average woman drinks about 50 calories, or roughly half a glass of wine. Men drink mostly beer. For
In September, New York City approved an unprecedented measure cracking down on giant sodas, those bigger than 16 ounces, or half a liter. It will take effect in March and bans sales of drinks in restaurants women, there was no clear favorite among alcoholic beverages. There was no racial or ethnic difference in average calories consumed from alcoholic beverages. But there was an age difference, with younger adults putting more of it away. For reference, a 12-ounce can
of regular Coca-Cola has 140 calories, slightly less than a samesized can of regular Bud. A 5ounce glass of wine is around 100 calories. In September, New York City approved an unprecedented measure cracking down on giant sodas, those bigger than 16 ounces, or half a liter. It will take effect in March and bans sales of drinks that large at restaurants, cafeterias and concession stands. Should New York officials now start cracking down on tall-boy beers and monster margaritas? There are no plans for that, city health department officials said, adding in a statement that while studies show that sugary drinks are ``a key driver of the obesity epidemic,'' alcohol is not. Health officials should think about enacting policies to limit alcoholic intake, but New York's focus on sodas is appropriate, said Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a public health advocacy group. Soda and sweetened beverages are the bigger problem, especially when it comes to kids the No. 1 source of calories in the U.S. diet, she said. ``In New York City, it was smart to start with sugary drinks. Let's see how it goes and then think about next steps,'' she said. However, she lamented that the Obama administration is planning to exempt alcoholic beverages from proposed federal regulations requiring calorie labeling on restaurant menus. It could set up a confusing scenario in which, say, a raspberry iced tea may have a calorie count listed, while an alcohol-laden Long Island Iced Tea with more than four times as many calories doesn't. ``It could give people the wrong idea,'' she said. -AP
J&K to implement Drug Policy next year JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government will fully implement a new drug policy in the state after March 31 next year, Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma said here. "The Drug Policy which has already been made public by the government will be fully implemented after March 31 next year," he said. He also said the Drug Procurement Corporation which is in the pipeline will start functioning simultaneously. Sharma said all District Hospitals will have the facilities of
CT Scan machines and Critical Ambulances in a phased manner. "Some important hospitals have already been provided the CT Scan machines," the minister said. On the posting of migrant doctors and para-medics who are presently out of the state, he said the Government has already decided to utilize the services of all migrant staff to overcome the deficiency of staff. "The deadline for their joining has been extended to April 30," he said. Sharma told reporters that the
state has secured the topmost award in the health sector in the country due to the collective efforts of employees and active support of the civil society. Highlighting the achievements of the Health Department, he said during the past three years there is substantial increase in various health parameters which are self-speaking. "There is 53 per cent increase in the OPD, 85 in IPD, 30 in institutional deliveries, 116 in Ultra Sound and 211 per cent increase in revenue receipt," he said. -PTI
Spurt in diabetes cases tied to obesity, poor diet Cont’d from page 14
Apollo Hospitals has treated diabetic pregnant patients with excellent maternal and fetal outcomes using insulin pumps. "Considering its high cost (Rs 2 lakh) and the fact that the pump is usually required only transiently during pregnancy, we are letting out insulin pumps," said Dr SK Wangnoo, senior consultant endocrineologist and diabetologist, Apollo Hospitals. "We have enrolled about 12 patients so far, of who about three have delivered successfully. The usual insulin shots involve multiple needle pricks along with a risk of sugar fluctuation, which is not good for the mother or the baby," he said. Insulin pumps provide continuous insulin delivery and also display blood sugar levels every five minutes. Curing diabetes foot Fortis hospital has introduced Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) at Fortis C-DOC Diabetes & Allied Disorders Hospital for treating diabetic foot and wounds. "HBOT is the administration of 100% oxygen to a patient in a pressurized environment. The combination of pres-
sure and oxygen increases the number of oxygen molecules that are dissolved in the blood plasma, which is then delivered
"We have enrolled about 12 patients so far, of who about three have delivered successfully. The usual insulin shots involve multiple needle pricks along with a risk of sugar fluctuation to the tissues," Dr Ashok Damir, head, Advanced Centre for Diabetic Foot & Wound Management, Fortis C-DOC. Size Wise Your weight or having a wide girth puts you at risk of diabetes. While Body Mass Index (BMI) under 23 indicates healthy weight, you must make sure your abs are as flat as possible. -HT
Blame it on lifestyle, diabetes rising among children Cont’d from page 13
Excess of cholesterol-rich food, sweets, and a sedentary lifestyle with little exercise are the reasons commonly attributed for diabetes. Diabetes can later lead to serious health condition. Says Dr V Mohan, a senior diabetologist: "Most of them develop serious complications in their kidneys, liver or heart within 10 to 15 years. When a 60-year-old is affected, he or she develops these problems only at 70. But when one is affected at the age of 15, chances are they may get serious complications at around 30," he says. The cost is not just to the patient or his family; an unhealthy youth population affects the productivity of the national economy. The way to overcome diabetes type 2 is to control the diet and exercise regularly. Dr Meenakumari Mohan, a paediatric diabetologist says while those affected with diabetes must strictly follow the instructions of physicians including a regular exercise and a controlled diet, those who do not have the
disease must be careful to prevent the diabetes. Half an hour of exercise of walking in moderate speed at least five days a week is the expected amount of exercise. Vegetables and fruits must eaten more and high calo-
"When a 60-year-old is affected, he or she develops these problems only at 70. But when one is affected at the age of 15, chances are they may get serious complications at around 30," rie food should be avoided. But how can one avoid the urge to have a quick bite, a burger or a pizza? "Have it once in a while. And once means not more than once a month," says Dr Meenakumari. -TOI
Desi News Gandhi Center hosts successful ALS fundraiser ASHWIN PATEL
ST LOUIS: Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center (MGC) in St. Louis, Missouri hosted an ALSfundraiser to spread awareness and support the fight against neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/ ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on Sunday, November 4. This ALS-fundraising dinner and live-entertainment program was attended by over 250 St. Louis residents of diverse ethnicities who came together to support this cause. Over $25,000 was raised by MGC and proceeds were donated to St. Louis local chapter of the ALS Association - supporting patient services, advocacy and cutting-edge ALS research. Details on page 18
Lights, feasting and prayers at Fremont Hindu Temple
RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
FREMONT: Diwali was celebrated on a grand scale at Fremont Hindu Temple on Tuesday, November 13. Fremont's Hindu community poured into the temple to pray and celebrate Diwali with lights, feasting, and prayer. Starting early in the evening, Puja was held to commemorate the occasion. At the beginning of the function, an idol of goddess Lakshmi was paraded in a palanquin to the center of the temple to be revered and elaborately decorated. After Shree Lakshmi Utsav, Sahasra Deepalankarana lighted the temple grounds with twinkling lamps and pious hymns. Details on page 21
Narendra Pathak re-appointed to County Council Details on page 25
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
Roaring kick-off for TANA fundraiser Details on page 22
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November 30, 2012
Indian American Democrats host Diwali & Victory party RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: It was a treat to watch when a good number of elected officials at the local, State and Federal level came on one platform to offer Diwali greetings and New Year wishes to a large number of Indian Americans at Holiday Inn in Skokie, a north side suburb of Chicago. The event was organized by Indo American Democratic Organization (IADO) in league with front ranking supporters of Democratic Party on Sunday November 18. It was not only to celebrate Diwali but also Idd, and more importantly unprecedented victory of Illinois Democratic candidates in the last elections held early this month. As put by IADO president Harnedra Mangrola, the election results were in a way a great victory for his organization as most of the candidates backed by it romped home to victory and that IADO wanted to offer congratulations to winners as also thanks to a number of party workers and members for the huge efforts that they put in to get candidates elected.
Elected officials with Indian Democrats and Indian CG Mukta Tomar (L to R) Rep Danny Davis, Rep Bill Foster, Rep Brad Schneider, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep Mike Quigley, Balvinder Singh and Harendra Mangrola
"Many of us also desired to let the mainstream American politicians get acquainted with our cultural heritage and the Diwali celebrations really came handy. We
were all thrilled that the Democratic leaders - Aldermen, State Senators and Representatives, US Congressman and Cook County President - should vie with each other
in presenting their compliments and well wishes for Diwali and New Year to 200 plus elites of the Chicagoland," he told this paper. Cont’d on page 19
Chivukula unveils Diwali measure for schools India Post News Service
TRENTON: In the season of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, celebrated by an estimated one billion people worldwide, Assembly Deputy Speaker Upendra J. Chivukula unveiled a measure he will sponsor to urge New Jersey school districts with high Indian-American populations to declare the first day of the five-day festival as a holiday. Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Deepavali,' which means a row of lights, Diwali is the most popular Indian festival celebrated by a majority of the state's Indian-American population including Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs. At about 3.2
percent, Indian-Americans are the largest component of New Jersey's fastest-growing Asian-American group, which accounts for an estimated 8.7 percent of the state's nearly nine million population.
are kept lit throughout the night to invoke the blessings of Laxmi, the Hindu Goddess of material and spiritual wealth and well being. This year, Diwali was celebrated through November 17.
The only South Asian lawmaker in the 120member Legislature, Chivukula encouraged non Indian-Americans to learn about Diwali either from their Indian friends or by taking a walk down streets like Oak Tree Road in Edison or Newark Avenue in Jersey City During Diwali, the faithful light their homes and businesses with diyas which are decorated clay lamps fueled by oil. These lamps
"The lamps of Diwali illuminate a path to understanding and awareness of a rich heritage and also signify the desire for spiritual
enlightenment. Closing schools with high Indian-American populations on the first day of Diwali would honor an important tradition of a growing segment of our state's population and would provide all Indian-American children with the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful festival with their family and friends," Chivukula said. The only South Asian lawmaker in the 120-member Legislature, Chivukula encouraged non Indian-Americans to learn about Diwali either from their Indian friends or by taking a walk down streets like Oak Tree Road in Edison or Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Cont’d on page 19
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Guj Samaj celebrates Diwali with Bollywood Masti
Guj Samaj new Executive Committee for 2012 to 2013 Back row: Dipen Modi, Jayesh Parikh, Manish Pandya, Bhavesh Shah, Ashok Shah. Front row: Maulin Parikh, Sandeep Shah, Kamlesh Shah, Suryakant Patel, Vibha Dave, Umang Shah, Daxesh Modi Asian Media USA
SCHAUMBURG: Gujarati Samaj Chicago organized a gala Diwali Dinner and Dazzling Bollywood Masti on Saturday November 10 at India House Banquet in Schaumburg, a north side suburb of Chicago. The evening was attended by 600 plus members and guests. The evening started with social
hour. The event was emceed by Manish Pandya. Diva lighting ceremony was performed by Chief Guest Harshit Patel from NY Life. Addressing the gathering, current President Suryakant Patel observed, "Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana and signifies conquering of evil (symbolized by Ravan) by virtue (symbolized by Lord Ram.") Outlining the objectives of the
Samaj, he said that "our goals are to encourage people to explore and learn about rich Gujarati culture." He also dwelt on past events organized by Gujarati Samaj like Summer Picnic, Navratri, Masti with colorful dresses and beautiful music, and Mix and Mingle function for youth. Dr. Jitendra Patel, President of GOPIO/Chicago was introduced by emcee Pandya. He also intro-
Members and guests dancing in Diwali mood
duced Bollywood Masti Group on the stage. Singer Sunny paid tribute to Rajesh Khanna singing 'Aate Jaate Khub Surat Awara.' Singer Alka started with 'Kanto se Khinchke Ye Aanchal.' Kalpesh sang songs like 'Ho Gayi Main Matwari.'' Collectively they sang many popular hits entertaining the audience. Executive Committee for 2012 to 2013 comprises Suryakant Patel
(President), Kamlesh Shah (Vice President), Jayesh Parikh (General Secretary), Bhavesh Shah (Joint Secretary), Deepen Modi (Treasurer), Sandip Shah (Joint Treasurer), Manish Pandya (Cultural Secretary), Open (Joint Cultural Secretary). Board Members are Ashok Shah, Payal Shah, Maulin Parikh, Vidha Dave, Daxesh Modi, Umang Shah and Past President Mukesh Shah.
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Gandhi Center hosts successful ALS fundraiser ASHWIN PATEL
Dr. Bhuyan honoring Dan Gray
Smt Vijaya Lakshmi, Dr Dasa and Vijaykumar. Pics Hema Patel
ST LOUIS: Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center (MGC) in St. Louis, Missouri hosted an ALSfundraiser to spread awareness and support the fight against neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/ ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on Sunday, November 4. This ALS-fundraising dinner
and live-entertainment program was attended by over 250 St. Louis residents of diverse ethnicities who came together to support this cause. Over $25,000 was raised by MGC and proceeds were donated to St. Louis local chapter of the ALS Association - supporting patient services, advocacy and cutting-edge ALS research.
Dan Gray of KPLR News 11/ KTVI Fox 2/ KMOX Radio was the master of ceremony for this event which started at 5:00pm with cocktails and opening of silent auctions. Renowned ALS researcher and neurologist, Dr. Timothy Miller of Washington University School of Medicine, gave an outstanding keynote speech at the
event after introductory remarks by Dan Gray, Michael Alexander (Channel 4 photographer, who recently lost his brother to ALS), Katie McGovern (of ALS Association, St. Louis regional chapter) and Dr. Elly Barua Bhuyan (MGC) who spearheaded this effort. A colorful cultural program of Indian folk dances was presented
followed by live musical performance by well known entertainer Ms. Elizabeth LaKamp. Dinner for the event was supported by various local restaurants who generously provided food for this fundraising dinner. Program ended at 8:30pm with live-auctions and vote of thanks by Dan Gray and Dr. Elly Barua Bhuyan.
Shivalaya Center reinvigorates Diwali spirit P ADITI
CHICAGO: A grand Diwali celebration was held on November 9 at Shivalya Hindu Cultural Center located on Grand Ave in Chicago Downtown. The Diwali celebration ceremony was a huge success with hundreds of people attending.
The day started with a grand aarti conducted by Chief Pandit Shanti P Shastriji that kicked off the celebration on an auspicious note. Tribute was paid to the veterans who are fighting for the country. For the kids, the start was diya lighting in which the kids lit up
Praying before Shivlinga
diyas that they had painted the week before. This was followed by a wonderful Bharatnatyam dance performance by Ms. Sai, who conducts Bharatnatyam classes. Next was a classical music session by a renowned musician in the Chicago area. In addition, there was a face painting session when children (and adults alike) could get their face painted by a face painting professional. Raffle tickets were distributed and prizes announced with some lucky families winning a wider variety of prizes sponsored by Shivalya. Lastly, there was a wonderful buffet dinner provided by Bombay Spice. Diwali sweets including jalebis, different kinds of barfis and other assortments were given out to all those who attended. It was a great sight to see the Hindu com-
Devotees throng Shivalya during Diwali celebrations
munity come together in this fashion with outpourings of devotion and Shradhha clearly visible amongst the attendees. Shivalya was recently founded to serve the Hindu community in the Chicagoland area. The Center is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Its goal is to provide a
place of worship and learning for the community as also to provide the current generation and next generation with the tools to strengthen their ties and roots and establish a strong identity for the Hindu population in the city of Chicago.
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Indian American Democrats host Diwali & Victory party Cont’d from page 16
Present on the occasion were Cook County President Tony Prekwinkle, Rep. Jan Schakowski, Rep. Danny Davis, Rep. Bill Foster, Rep. Mike Quigley, Rep. Brad Schneider, State Senator Silverstein, State Senator Daniel Biss, Thomas Fullerton, State Rep Martin Moylan, State Rep Michelle Mussman, Laurie Nowak of Dupage County Commissioner, Ald Joe Moore, Ald Debra Silverstein, Ald. Ameya Powar and Raja Krishnamoorthy among others. Ms Mukta Tomar, Consul General for India, was a Special Guest and in her brief speech she offered Diwali greetings to all and touched upon the basic philosophy behind Diwali celebrations. "It is victory of good over evil and light over darkness. The celebration crosses the boundaries of race, religion and language," she observed. Ms Tomar also dwelt on the progress made by India in recent years in different areas of activities - technology, science, and economic front -and exuded confidence that India US relations would get more cemented in the coming year as both have common tradition of a democratic set up. IADO Chief Mangrola welcomed the guests and talked about IADO efforts in getting Indian Americans more and more involved in mainstream politics. Congressmen Danny Davis said that Diwali signified victory of
A group of attendees Ms Vandana Jhingan, Ms Jan Schakowsky, Jodh Singh Rawat, Dr Parikh, Ms Kunja Parikh, Danny Davis and a guest
righteousness over evil as was evident "from recent election results" and that we look forward to better days ahead. Congresswoman Jan Scacokwski, a doyen of Indian Americans, set the ball rolling lavishly praising IADO for its efforts in giving a boost to Democratic campaign and also wished everybody present happy Diwali. She talked about Festival of Lights and mentioned about Jewish celebration of Hannakua which is also a festival of light. Cook County President Tony Prekwinkle thanked IADO for its efforts to ensure Democratic victory and singled out Balvinder Singh, a front ranking community
activist, for his committed approach in this direction. Rep Mike Quigley, Bill Foster and Brad Schneider also addressed the meet
gracefully and besides introducing the guest celebrities, he also extended welcome to all those who came to attend the victory
and Nirav Virani were seen prominently mingling with guests. Virani eloquently described the significance of Diwali as a festival as also
Indian CG Ms Mukta Tomar with Vinesh Virani, Balvinder Singh and IADO Chief Harendra Mangrola
and acknowledged the huge efforts put in by their Indian supporters. Ravi Villivalam, IADO Director, emceed the event very
event. The second generation Indian Americans were conspicuous by their presence. Parth Mangrola
Indian Americans' involvement in mainstream politics. The near three hours of program ended with a sumptuous dinner.
Chivukula unveils Diwali measure for schools Cont’d from page 16
Nirav Mangrola proposing vote of thanks
"It is the mingling of cultures and traditions that helps us open our hearts and minds to each other and deepens our human experience. It fosters our coexistence in harmony," he added. "Perhaps the unity in our diversity is best illustrated in the Sanskrit verse that reverberates through many Indian homes during the festival of Diwali and could apply to people of all faiths."
Asato Ma Sad Gamaya Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya Mrityor ma Amritam Gamaya Translation Lead me from the untruth to the truth Lead me from darkness to light Lead me from death to immortality Under current state law, Diwali is included in the list of religious holidays during which students
are permitted to be absent from school. The statute ensures that a student's absence on a religious holiday will be recorded as an excused absence and that the student cannot be deprived of any opportunity for any award or of the right to take an alternative test or examination. Chivukula's measure would urge a school district with a large population of Indian-American students to close schools on the first day of Diwali.
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Six Gam Patidar Samaj celebrates Diwali
Six Gam Patidar Samaj members in Diwali mood Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: The annual Diwali celebration held by the Six Gam Patidar Samaj of Chicago was an event filled with joy and gaiety. It was held at the Meadows Club on November 9. Over 440 Six Gamis and guests dressed in colorful traditional attire flocked to the Meadows Club to celebrate Diwali associating themselves with thousands of Guajratis across the globe. After a social hour filled with lot of tasty appetizers, the program started with the ceremonial lamp
lighting by the President, Dilip Patel, Chief Guest Naren Patel and the Board of Trustees. This was followed by some colorful dances by young second generation Gujarati American dancers. Some rocking Bollywood numbers were the highlights of the evening. The dances were followed by brief speeches by President Dilip Patel and other officials of the Samaj who thanked the members for their whole hearted support of the organization. Leading members of association and sponsors were then introduced.
Diptesh Desai was the Master of Ceremonies. A delicious dinner followed and put the attendees in the right spirit for a couple of hours of riveting entertainment from singers Samir Date and Dipalee Somaiyya, visiting from Mumbai. The duo sang a variety of Bollywood hits spanning three decades and had the audience dancing and waltzing on the dance floor. The audience rocked and slow danced to some mesmerizing numbers by the duo who were very ably accompanied by Johny John on the drums/percussions and Mita Das on the keyboard/ piano. In the end, they invited Naren Patel on the stage to honor him
Med Star Chief Naren Patel (second from left) honored for his all round help to the Samaj
with a bouquet on his birthday and Samir Date sang the famous
birthday song "Bar Bar Din Ye Aaye Tum Jio Hazaro Saal".
Gaiety galore at Six Gam Patidar Diwali banquet
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Lights, feasting and prayers at Fremont Hindu Temple Diwali
Manoramaji helps parade the palanquin. Pics Niloo Kapoor
RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
FREMONT: Diwali was celebrated on a grand scale at Fremont Hindu Temple on Tuesday, November 13. Fremont's Hindu community poured into the temple to pray and celebrate Diwali with lights, feasting, and prayer. Starting early in the evening, Puja was held to commemorate the
occasion. At the beginning of the function, an idol of goddess Lakshmi was paraded in a palanquin to the center of the temple to be revered and elaborately decorated. After Shree Lakshmi Utsav, Sahasra Deepalankarana lighted the temple grounds with twinkling lamps and pious hymns. One thousand lamps were lighted. Couples lined up to offer
Goddess Lakshmi, decorated for the puja
Diwali celebrations at the temple resounded with the fervor and devotion found in Indian celebrations
Dr. Japra lights the lamp!
a special group Shree Lakshmi puja for the occasion. Panditji helped devotees in conducting abhishek and puja. In the main temple hall, a throng of devotees lined up for darshan and prayers. Dr. Romesh Japra, the temple founder, led everyone in Samhoooik puja. The whole temple reverberated with mantras of Hanuman Chalisa and Lakshmi Arti.
Diwali celebrations at the temple resounded with the fervor and devotion found in Indian celebrations. Diwali is a time to celebrate Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana, and of the inevitable triumph of good over evil. Diwali is also a day to pray to goddess Lakshmi for wealth. Cont’d on page 24
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Roaring kick-off for TANA fundraiser ANGELA LEE
A group of attendees at the TANA Convention Kick off in Dallas with Prasad addressing the guests
DALLAS, Texas: In a show of overwhelming support to Telugu Association of North America (TANA)'s 19th Convention in Dallas (first time), more than 600 people turned up at the kick-off for the fundraising event held at Lindero Ranch in Irving. Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX), the local Telugu Association is co-host of this convention. Manjulata Kanneganti, TANA South West Regional Representative, welcomed the gathering and spoke briefly about TANA activities. Prasad Thotakura, TANA President in his opening remarks mentioned that in it is for the first time in 35 years of history of TANA that the 19th TANA Convention will be held at Dallas Convention Center from May 24-26, 2013 (Memorial Day Weekend).
Artsits performing at TANA kick off party
Also addressing the meet were former TANA Presidents Dr. Navaneetha Krishna Gorrepati, Dr.
Raghavendra Prasad and the current TANA Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Chowdary Jampala.
TANA attendees
It was announced that Dr. Navaneetha Krishna Gorrepati will serve as Convention Chairman and Dr. Raghavendra Prasad Convention Advisory Council Chairman. Also introduced were more than 30 people Convention Advisory Council members. Several donors came forward with contributions ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 for the success of the convention. Dr Raghava Reddy announced $50, 000 on behalf of his close friends Dr Premsagar Reddy and Dr Pailla Mallareddy. Chalapathi Rao Kondrakunta announced a total of $75,000 on behalf his family and friends Leelakumar Kaza and Seshagiri Rao Battula. Manju Kanneganti announced $25,000 from his family. The attendees have risen to the occasion and have given over $618,618 - a record
Tollywood heroine Pranita, a special guest
amount, by the end of the evening. Prasad Thotakura, Murali Vennam and Dr. Chowdary Jampala have thanked the entire Dallas Telugu community. The attendees were treated to excellent classical dance performances - Tribhuvani, Kuchipudi Fusion by Kuchipudi Kalakshetra under the tutelage of Padma Sonti, Raasa Kreeda by Natyanjali Kuchipudi Dance School under the tutelage of Srilatha Suri. Showcasing further the younger talent of Dallas, the Blue Flame Dance Group performed Tollywood Mix trained under Nirmitha Shukla and Yogitha Manduva. Tollywood Heroine Pranita attended as a special guest. Riveting and lilting songs were performed as a part of musical entertainment by Sarada Akunuri, an accomplished singer and current President of Telugu Cultural Association, Houston. She was joined by several local singers. Dr. Alla Srinivasa Reddy's performance of rural folk songs transported the audience to the memories of rural Andhra Pradesh. Suresh Vuluvala entertained with his amazing mimicry acts. Chandrahas Maddukuri and Udayagiri Rajeswari did an excellent job as Master and Mistress of ceremonies. A vote of thanks was proposed by Murali Vennam.
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FPID event raises funds and tears India Post News Service
From the minute Dr. Gupta set eyes on Jack, he knew that Jack had Ommen's Syndrome (like the bubble baby). This is a serious genetic defect in the immune system which some children are born with. These children become very ill very quickly and die without treatment. Jack was sent to Children Hospital Los Angeles for a Bone marrow transplant just in time, as he was fading from this life before his parents' eyes. After several tries, the transplant was successful and after more than 800 days in the hospital, Jack went home. He owes his life to Dr. Gupta and the rapid diagnosis and treatment for his weak immune system. The story of Jack as narrated by his mother Aerin, who thanked Drs. Gupta and Kapoor (who performed bone marrow transplant)
NEWPORT BEACH: It was a star studded event at the second annual gala benefit for the Foundation for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (FPID). The gala chose posh Island Hotel in Newport Beach as its home for the night. And what a night! The ballroom was packed to capacity. The evening was kicked off with a fashion show featuring the latest designs from up and coming Reneta Junjhnuwala. Following this was an array of dazzling performances by Karmography, and Latin ballroom sensations by Ballroom Dance Academy. Just when you thought you had seen it all in one night, up on the stage appeared legendary actor, performer, and comedian, Joe Piscopo. He had everyone laughing with their mouths open with his stand-up routine. Finally in came The Midtown Men, four of the original cast members of the Broadway show The Jersey Boys, singing their classics. Within seconds the entire ballroom was on the dance floor twisting to their favorite 60's hits. The real star of the show was Jack, the now 9-year-old boy who without a Consul General of India Ambassador timely diagnosis N. Parthasarthi with wife Geetha by Dr. Sudhir Gupta (founder of FPID) would not be here today. for saving Jack's life, brought tears Jack was 4 months old and suffer- and joys to the audience. The Consul General of India ing from a severe skin condition at the time. He was seen by mul- Ambassador N. Parthasarthi comtiple physicians and finally re- mented that "Geetha and I are happy to attend this Gala event ferred to Dr. Gupta. particularly as this is for an impor-
Dr Abha Gupta, Francis Arena and Jean-Laurent Casanova
tant cause. We deeply appreciate what you (Dr. Sudhir Gupta) yourself and Dr. Abha Gupta are doing. Your dedication and commitment to help out those who are in need is something worthy of emulation. I wish you every success in your efforts". Dr. Thomas Waldmann of the National Institutes of Health, a pioneer in immunology, presented Thoams Waldmann Award for Excellence in Human Immunology to Dr. Mary Ellen Conley for her outstanding contributions to the discovery and understanding of many primary immunodeficiency diseases. The Foundation for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases was founded by Dr. Sudhir Gupta in 2010 as a not for profit and charitable organization. Dr. Gupta is a world renowned immunologist at the University of California, Irvine. It is his vision to create a charity that will improve lives of people (especially children) born with immune defects in India and the US by providing education, diagnosis, treatment, and research to further our knowledge of these diseases. Dr. Gupta emphasized that primary Immunodeficiencies are
Models with the designer Reneta Junjhnuwala
not rare diseases; they are 3-4 times more common than hemophilia, 4 times more common than cystic fibrosis, and almost as common as multiple sclerosis, yet poorly recognized. There are 10 million people with primary immunodeficiency worldwide, more than one million in India and more than one half million in the US;
each child per year. Last year FPID provided treatment support for 10 children with primary immune deficiencies in India and has committed to provide treatment for their lifetime. The charity (FPID) is young but with such a unique focused mission and such a dedicated founder, there will be many more stories like
Dr. Thomas Waldmann of the National Institutes of Health, a pioneer in immunology, presented Thoams Waldmann Award for Excellence in Human Immunology to Dr. Mary Ellen Conley for her outstanding contributions to the discovery and understanding of many primary immunodeficiency diseases many of them have not been diagnosed. The foundation funds not only research but physician education for improved and rapid diagnosis of these diseases. It funds patient and parent education to increase awareness and finally it provides lifetime treatment for children which amounts to $10-20,000 for
Jack's in the future. FPID has a very distinguished board of International Scientific advisors, including a Nobel Laureate, members of the National Academy of Sciences, and American Academy of science and Arts, and pioneers in stem cell transplantation and gene therapy for primary immunodeficiency diseases.
Award to Dr. Mary Ellen Conley
Community Across America
24 India Post
November 30, 2012
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Lights, feasting and prayers at Fremont Hindu Temple Diwali
Sahasra Deepalankarana
Cont’d from page 21
Diwali marks the biggest day of five-day celebrations that started with Dhan Teras, when Ayudh Puja is performed and people buy jewelry and other expensive items for their homes. Anu Agarwal, a local devotee, said, "I'm
a regular worshipper at the temple, and the Diwali celebration is always the high point of the year's festivities. This year was the best one so far, with the Sahasra Deepalankarana as a touching reminder of the victory of good over evil." Events for the day ended with Prasad and Priti Bhoj offered by the temple.
Samoohik Puja in the temple hall
Dr. Japra addresses the devotees
Priti Bhoj
November 30, 2012
Community Across America
India Post 25
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Narendra Pathak re-appointed eBay brings best of India to Indian Americans to County Council India Post News Service
SANTA CLARA: Narendra Pathak of Sunnyvale, California was 4th time re-appointed to the Council on Equal Employment Opportunities (CEEO) by the Santa Clara County, Board of Supervisors. Board of Supervisors confirmed the appointment on August 21. Pathak was sworn into office September 10 for a term that expires June 30, 2016. A native of Karamsad, Gujarat State, India, Narendra Pathak has been a U.S. resident since 1979. He holds a B.A. in Economics and law degrees in Labor Laws and Criminal Laws. He graduated Santa Clara County Gov 101 Academy in May. Pathak has been active in the city of Sunnyvale as Board of Library Trustees, Library Commission and Santa Clara County's Commissioner, Human Relation Commission and also Santa Clara County's Commissioner, Council on Equal Employment Opportunities (CEEO) and Active member State of California Library Association. His community activities include as Board of Trustees, Devotional Association of Sitaram, Co-Coordinator of California Gujarat Sister State Association, India Heritage Research Foundation, Bay Area Gujarati Samaj, India Cultural Association of Bay Area and Brahmin Samaj of USA.
He has also served as Treasurer, Charitable Care Foundation. Narendra Pathak has served on the City of Sunnyvale as Commissioner, Housing and Human Services Commission. He was Sunnyvale's Board member on General Plan Consolidation Advisory Committee and Advisory Board member on Be-
origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual harassment and other things on existing and potential state, federal programs, policies, justice, social issues, peace building, immigration issues, human rights, criminal justice system, Jail Observer Program, Death Penalty System, Integration Services, hate crime and hate inci-
low Market Rate Housing Program (BMR) Advisory on New Library of Future Project. The 17 Commissioners, Council on Equal Employment Opportunities advices on employment programs and on ways to counter employment discrimination by age, disability, equal pay, national
dents and civil rights issues, domestic violence issues, community development programs and Coordinating with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Pathak is married to Gita and they have a son, Sagar and a daughter, Shruti.
SCE tips to avoid injuries and fire hazards India Post News Service
ROSEMEAD, CA: As store shelves fill up with holiday lights and decorations, families and friends are preparing to celebrate the festive season. And as they get together to celebrate, Southern California Edison (SCE) has a simple message: don't let potential fire hazards such as frayed cords and unsafe conditions like broken lights ruin the festivities. "During the holiday season, it's easy to get distracted with all the things you need to prepare around your home for your family and guests. Taking short cuts may seem to save time, but it's important not to rush and be safe," said William Messner, SCE's manager, Corporate Health and Safety. "We want all our customers to enjoy the holidays, so we urge them to be aware of potential risks associated with decorating such as falling off ladders, fires and electrical
hazards." Close to 83 percent of people decorate their homes as part of the winter holidays, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. And the most common winter holiday decorations are
Do not use decorative lighting with frayed cords and wires, broken fuses or broken light bulbs. Do not use staples, nails or tacks to hang electrical cords lighted Christmas trees (83 percent), indoor decorations using electric lights (63 percent) and outdoor light decorations (58 percent). From 2005-2009, an annual average of 240 home fires started
with Christmas trees, resulting in 13 deaths, 27 injuries, and $16.7 million in property damage. About 5,800 people each year are treated in hospital emergency rooms for falls associated with holiday decorations. More than half of these injuries were caused by falls from ladders or roofs while decorating outdoors. During this holiday season, SCE has offered a few helpful tips: • Do not use decorative lighting with frayed cords and wires, broken fuses or broken light bulbs. • Do not use staples, nails or tacks to hang electrical cords. These can pierce the protective insulation. • Plug no more than three strands of lights into each electrical cord or outlet. • Never use lighted candles on or near holiday trees or decorations. • Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when decorating outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
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which allows payments to be sent online quickly and safely using their credit card or bank account. "We're thrilled to offer our customers in the U.S. with the opportunity to purchase items for the holidays, directly from India," said Deepa Thomas, Head of Partnerships for eBay India. "Whether people are looking for unique cultural gifts for others, or something special for themselves, eBay's Handcrafted in India holiday selection will offer something for everyone." During eBay's Diwali campaign, $1 for every purchase was donated to the National Rural and Development Association (NARAD) a nonprofit that supports rural welfare in India. Because of the overwhelming customer response and positive feedback, eBay will be
nline shopping destination eBay is helping Indians in the U.S. bring the best of India home this holiday season. eBay Handcrafted in India makes it simple for Indian Americans to celebrate the holidays with an exclusive selection of handcrafted products from Indian entrepreneurs through its microsite at www.ebay.com/ handcraftedinindia. eBay's Handcrafted in India holiday campaign offers a selection of over 52,000 unique products from 250 Indian sellers to help Indians living in the U.S. celebrate the holidays. Products include ethnic wear for men and women, jewelry, home furnishings, Bollywood entertainment, religious and spiritual items, health and beauty, musical instruments, sporting goods, auto, Indian art and collectibles. In the spirit of the holiday giving season, Not only will the microsite and building on the suc- allow buyers to shop for all cess of a similar program their holiday needs convelaunched during the Handcrafted in India niently from their home or Diwali campaign, eBay mobile devices, holiday will donate $1 for every purchases are guaranteed purchase made to one of three Indian non-profit to be delivered to customorganizations: Aseema, a ers within seven days of non-governmental orgapurchase. Current eBay nization (NGO) dedicated to providing un- customers will be able to derprivileged children utilize their existing acwith a fostering educational environment; Lit- counts, and any new users eracy India, a non-profit may register on the organization focusing microsite for free on empowering disadvantaged children and women through education; and expanding this program for the Jan Swa Shakti Samiti, a women's holiday season. During the eBay Handcrafted welfare NGO that cultivates art and other skills among women. in India holiday campaign from One non-profit will be featured per Nov. 16 to Dec. 14, eBay will donate $1 for every purchase made week. eBay Handcrafted in India through the microsite to one of makes holiday shopping for loved three different non-profit organiones easy. Not only will the zations each week. "eBay India provides a charity microsite allow buyers to shop for all their holiday needs conve- fundraising platform to over 70 niently from their home or mobile nonprofits in India. Not only do devices, holiday purchases are some of these non-governmental guaranteed to be delivered to cus- organizations raise funds by puttomers within seven days of pur- ting their products for sale on chase. Current eBay customers eBay, we also help increase awarewill be able to utilize their existing ness for their causes," said Thoaccounts, and any new users may mas. "Our Diwali partnership with register on the microsite for free. NARAD was extremely popular Like all eBay purchases, purchases with our customers, and in the made on eBay Handcrafted in In- spirit of the holidays, we're proud dia will be backed by eBay Buyer to expand this program to include Protection. Customers will also be three other amazing organizations able to pay securely with PayPal, during this campaign.
26 India Post
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November 30, 2012
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Nithyananda Vedic Temple celebrates 5th Anniversary DILIP BUTANI
LOS ANGELES: Two days of festivities were filled with Vedic rituals, Satvic food fest, bhajans, Bharatnatyam, live music, native Aztec spiritual dancers, Paramahamsa Nithyananda's message & blessings, Mayor's visit and eNVidyalya children performing unique and creative yoga. November 9 was auspicious for devotees and followers from all around California who joined in the celebrations of the 5th Anniversary of the Nithyananda Vedic Temple in Los Angeles. All the deities, numbering more than 100, received their abishekam or the sacred bath and alankaram i.e. festive dressing with silks and jewelry. Huge colorful garlands, close to 6 feet, adorned these tall living deities; which are the only kind in US which have been personally energized and installed by a living incarnation. Cultural programs were live streamed across the world through Nithyananda TV which is watched daily by an average of 1300 people from around 45 countries. Amidst celebrations, during the live streaming of the Daily satsang, Paramahamsa Nithyananda blessed the devotees and follow-
ers who have been running the 100% volunteer based temple and keeping the Vedic culture alive and sharing it with the thousands of people who visit every year, just to feel the intense energy and ambience of the living enlightened energy space. Each of the sacred deities have received so much attention from Paramahamsa Nithyananda, starting with the inspection of selecting the granite and sculpting of the deities, selecting the fine clothes and jewelry, receiving them in the temple, physically taking part in the installation, energizing and the grand inauguration ceremonies. One of the stark differences any visitor notices when they enter the Nithyananda Vedic Temple, is not only the intense enlightening energy of a living Master radiating through the deities unlike anything in any other temple, but the enlightened lifestyle one can easily assimilate and become part of, being practiced and shared with ease and joy.
The welcoming energy, the constant sharing of highest truths through meditation, yoga, Vedic scriptures, energized Satvic food in other words through every ac-
Paramahamsa Nithyananda
tion is evident not as an act of protocol but as life itself. The Vedic
temple is one of the rare Hindu temples of the world, where every day is an occasion to celebrate and share! Paramahamsa Nithyananda is a global leader in the science of enlightenment. He is revered as a living saint and an Avatar or divine incarnation by millions worldwide. He is the most-watched spiritual teacher on YouTube.com with more than 14 million views, and the author of more than 300 books published in 27 global languages. Nithyananda has been named among the world's top 100 most spiritually influential personalities of 2012. An accomplished yogi and gifted spiritual healer, Paramahamsa Nithyananda has healed diseases ranging from migraine to cancer, often with a single initiation. For close to a decade now, Paramahamsa Nithyananda has been working with scientists and researchers to demystify the yogic sciences of the Universe, including kundalini awakening, DNA
activation, brain-cell regeneration, levitation, materialization and yogic age-reversal. When Paramahamsa Nithyananda ascends the traditional seat of teaching i.e. Dhyanapeeta Mahasamsthana Avathumvara Simhasana every morning and starts his teaching sessions, thousands of people from over 30 countries participate live via 2-way video conferencing. Also, people from 150 countries watch the streaming of recorded videos every day on Nithyananda TV. Nithyananda who is also a powerful exponent of Vedanta, has already won recognition as the pioneer of a powerful Vedic renaissance. His live talks on Bhagavad Gita, Shiva Sutras, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Brahma Sutras and other powerful scriptures have touched audiences of thousands, both within the country and abroad. Taking Vedic culture into homes: Nithyananda has an agenda to make enlightened living a practical reality for every person in every home. Nithyananda's vision is to restore spirituality to the people, and the people to spirituality, in very real ways.
November 30, 2012
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India Post 27
TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
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28 India Po
1 Apnaa Mujhe Tu Lagaa: 1920 - Evil Returns 2 Jiya Re: Jab Tak Hai Jaan 3 Jee Le Zaraa: Talaash 4 Challa: ab Tak Hai Jaan 5 Laakh Duniya Kahe: Talaash 6 Saans: Jab Tak Hai Jaan November 30, 2012 7 Muskaanein Jhooti Hai: Talaash 8 KikliKalerdi: Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana 9 Badla Nazara: English Vinglish 10 LSTCK Theme: Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana
A
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ishwarya Rai Bachchan credits late filmmaker Yash Chopra as a major reason why she stepped into the film industry, and says he will always remain special to her. "Yashji is very special to me because he is one of the main reasons that I am in the film industry. He kept talking to me for two years before I joined the industry, to convince me," the 39-year-old said on the sideline of a Children's Day event in Mumbai. "He always used to tease me, he used to say become an architect, design my sets and then you will definitely come in front of the camera, I'll see to it. So he is just such a special person even to me," she added. Aishwarya, who worked in Yash Raj Films' (YRF) Mohabbatein and Dhoom 2, says she shared a very personal relationship with the filmmaker.
nushka Sharma is pursuing a practical approach when it comes to Bollywood, saying acting is not the only thing she wants to do in her life and stardom is just a fleeting phase. "I think 10-15 years down the line I would not want to remain an actress. Probably I will be married and driving my kids to school. Appreciation is obviously nice. Our profession is such that it puts us in a trance while working and then we don't realize what all we can do," the 24-year-old said. The 24-year-old, who won awards for her performances in films like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Band Baaja Baraat, says she does not get carried away by stardom. "Stardom is nice but because I am an outsider in the industry, I don't want to get sucked into this too much. I have this sense of practicality that this is temporary," she said. Anushka says she is well aware of the fact that success is not permanent in film industry. "I think right now I am getting many offers because my films have done well. But it's not going to be an ongoing process. I don't want to get delusional about where I am. I keep a constant check by saying that this isn't my entire life," the actress said.
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idya Balan is eagerly waiting to I love romance. do a romantic film with a good I am just script, and she is open to working with any actor in it. waiting that "I love romance. I am just waiting someone that someone approaches me for a approaches me romantic, good relationship story, but for a romantic, nothing exciting has come my way good relationship so far. But I am open to any kind of film, I will be happy to do it. I am happy story, but nothing to romance with anyone as long as exciting has it's a good romance," she says. come my Meanwhile, her real life romance way so far with producer Siddharth Roy Kapur is rocking. It was reported she would marry him by 2012-end, but the actress said: "I also heard. I will say this, that one is not denying. I definitely want to be married someday, but so far, I don't know when. When I get married, all of you and the world will know for sure. This is something I would want to share with everyone." On the big screen, Vidya will soon be seen in comic thriller "Ghanchakkar" opposite Emraan Hashmi and " Kahaani 2".
November 30, 2012
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egetarian Amrita Rao says, "In Bollywood, the toughest thing is when actors have to build their bodies, go gymming and they need a lot of protein intake. Because we don't eat nonveg, vegetarians always lack that protein element." However, she insists vegetarians can have a great body too. "Of course, there are a lot of substitutes for protein there is paneer, all kinds of sprouts. I would like to tell everybody, Shahid Kapoor and our wrestler Sushil Kumar, both of them are vegetarians and have built bodies," she said. Last seen in the 2011-film "Love U...Mr. Kalakaar!", Amrita is looking forward to the New Year: "Two of my films will release in 2013 - one is Jolly LLB which will release in March hopefully and Singh Saab the Great, which is releasing in August. I will start filming for it in December-January. So I am looking forward to 2013, it's going to be an exciting year of releases," the 31-year-old said at an event.
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hen it comes to looks, Huma Qureshi looks is different from the typical Bollywood actresses and she says she isn't trying to fit in anyone's shoes. "I agree that I am different from others. I am not trying to fit in someone else shoes. I am being honest to myself. The audience is loving me the way I am and that's most important for me," she added. Her first two films were I agree that I appreciated and she is getam different from ting good offers too. Contented with her career, the others. actress doesn't see herself as I am not trying to an outsider in the film industry. fit in someone "I don't feel I am an outelse shoes. I am sider. I was already shooting for other films even before being honest to the release of my first film myself. The Gangs of Wasseypur (GOW). audience is While shooting for GOW, I was simultaneously shooting loving me the for Vishal Bhardwaj's Ek Thi way I am and Daayan, and while shooting for Luv Shuv Tey Chicken that's most Khurana, I was shooting for important Nikhil Advani's D Day," Huma, who is from Delhi, said for me in an interview. She started as a model and featured in various TV commercials. She considers herself lucky to have bagged films with established filmmakers.
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Mika Singh interviewed by Ritu Maheshwari
RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
SAN FRANCISCO: World-famous singer Mika Singh was in the San Francisco Bay Area as part of his international tour. In the past few years, he has taken the Indian music industry by storm.
India Post
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November 30, 2012
I come from a family of musicians and my father and I would play the tabla together at gurudwara. Later, I began playing the guitar in shows with my brother, Daler Mehndi. In 1998, I joined the music industry and released my first album, "Sawan Main Lag Gayi Aag".
S ecrets of Mika
He is possibly the most popular singer in India today, with multiple consecutive hit songs. His performances are sought after across the globe. In an interview with India Post, Mika spoke about his popularity, his inspiration and his ambition to be a music director. Here are excerpts from the interview: How did you first start singing? I have been singing for many years now. I come from a family of musicians and my father and I would play the tabla together at gurudwara. Later, I began playing the guitar in shows with my brother, Daler Mehndi. In 1998, I joined the music industry and
released my first album, "Sawan Main Lag Gayi Aag". You are an amazingly successful singer, topping charts across the nation. What is your secret? It is by my parents' blessings and God's grace that I am able to give hit songs. I am selective in my song choices and am lucky to get all good songs to sing. I am also immensely grateful to my fans who love my songs and are responsible for my success. Who is your inspiration? My Brother Daler Mehndi, my family, RD Burman, Kishore Da and Mukesh Da inspire me. How does it feel to be in San Francisco? I am excited to be in the Bay Area. It holds a special place in my heart as many people close to me live here, including my brother, Harjeet Mehndi. I also began my international shows here. If you had not become a singer, what would you be doing? I always wanted to be a
music director. But after releasing my first album, my future was set. Besides singing, you also play many instruments. Tell us about this. I can play fifty kinds of instruments. I started with the Tabla when I was eight, learning it from my father. What message would you like to give to young people? Always start with the basics and work hard. Patience and hard work are the keys to success. Any last words for our readers? You can love me, you can hate me but you cannot ignore me!
November 30, 2012
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MUMBAI: In Bollywood, Rs 100 crore has become the new definition of box office success. But actor Aamir Khan feels that numbers can be deceptive and the elite figure may not be the true measure to determine how well a film is made or received by the audience. Three of Aamir's films - '3 Idiots', 'Ghajini' and 'Fanaa' - have reportedly earned over Rs 350 crore, Rs 150 crore, and Rs 100 crore respectively, scaling the touchstone of success. Yet he does not believe in the number game. "A large number of people might see the film because a star is there. Numbers can be deceptive. To me success means when we as a creative team sit together to watch a film before it releases... (do we) feel that we have succeeded in making what we set out to do. If the team feels we have come close, it's the first sign of success," Aamir told PTI. "I have never looked at figures. I am the last person to look at figures at the outset. I look at them in retrospect as it helps me gauge how well a film of mine has been received. It is one of the yard sticks. I use them to understand how my film has fared, how people have reacted to it," he said. Aamir feels even though a film may earn a lot of money at the BO but there are chances that not many people may like it. "Let's say a film had done big business but when you ask people how did you like the film, only six or seven people out of ten say it was ok... then is it a successful film ? If another film
No 'Talaash' for 100 cr
has done half the business and you ask people how they like it. If eight to nine out of ten like it‌then," he said.
team. "Film making is a team effort... its tough. The director and writer play important parts but along with
"'Talaash' is essentially a suspense drama. There is no social message but there is an important aspect to the story. The reason why it attracted me was that it is not only a great suspense story but it was like journey where I didn't know what would happen next. So in that way, it held its suspense for me," Aamir said The 47-year-old actor-producer feels filmmaking is a team effort and the credit for the success of a film should not entirely be given to actors but the whole
that there is the cameraman, the sound engineer, the song composer, lyric writer, actors... so when a film does well, it is the result of this team doing good work. The
Veteran actor Pran hospitalized
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eteran Bollywood actor Pran has been admitted to Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra, hospital sources said. "He had come for a check-up which turned out to be a respiratory problem. He is doing fine and still in hospital. Nothing to worry," Lilavati hospital spokesperson Dr Sudhir Dagaokar told PTI. The 92-year-old actor is one of
the most popular villains of Bollywood and has acted in around 350 films. His famous films include Khandaan, Aurat, Bari Behen, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai, Half Ticket, Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Don and Zanjeer. In 2001, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema.-PTI
balance is not in the hands of actors alone," Aamir said. "I am fortunate that for the past so many years my films have been doing well and people have liked them. I am happy that the right kinds of projects have come my way. I have got to work with talented writers and directors," he said. Aamir is known for being a marketing and promotion genius for releasing his films as an actor-producer. "I think promoting a film is an important part of filmmaking. It is an intrinsic part of that. Filmmaking is story telling. The more excited you are about the story you have, the more intense will be your attempt will be to get people's attention," he said. "For me that is why it is a part of filmmaking. Marketing also depends on what the material is," he added.
Aamir is looking forward to the release of his suspense drama 'Talaash' that hits the screens on November 30. "'Talaash' is an intense suspense drama... so I don't want to be talking about the film everywhere. I want the suspense to be there, that's part of the promotions. Sometimes being quiet also might promote it," he said. "Mere information is not promotion. I can create a desire by not being there too. The bottom line is to create a desire," he added. Directed by Reema Kagti, 'Talaash' revolves around three characters - Aamir who plays a cop, Rani Mukherjee playing Aamir's wife and Kareena Kapoor. "'Talaash' is essentially a suspense drama. There is no social message but there is an important aspect to the story. The reason why it attracted me was that it is not only a great suspense story but it was like journey where I didn't know what would happen next. So in that way, it held its suspense for me," Aamir said. "I found it fulfilling... the suspense part of it. But at its heart, it's a story about someone coming to terms with loss... it is a very emotional story at its core," he added. Aamir, who has teamed up with Kareena and Rani for the film is all praise for both the leading ladies. "It's been great working with Rani and Kareena. Both are great actors... I get along well with them. It was great fun to work with them. When you work with good artists there is a certain chemistry which works... the scene comes alive," he said. "Both are fantastic actresses and I think people will love watching them together on screen," he added. -PTI
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Life of Pi: Ang Lee's film is soulfully entertaining
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ife of Pi is one of those lyri cal, internalized novels that should have no business working on the screen. Quite possibly, it wouldn't have worked if anyone but Ang Lee had adapted it. The filmmaker who turned martial arts into a poetic blockbuster for Western audiences with 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and made gay cowboys mainstream fare with 'Brokeback Mountain' has crafted one of the finest entries in his eclectic resume in 'Life of Pi', a gorgeous, ruminative film that is soulfully, provocatively entertaining. Lee combines a lifetime of storytelling finesse with arguably the most artful use of digital 3-D technology yet seen to bring to life Yann Martel's saga of an Indian youth lost at sea with a ravenous Bengal tiger aboard his small lifeboat. It's a delicate narrative with visceral impact, told with an innovative style that's beguiling to watch and a philosophical voice that compassionately explores how and why we tell stories. Our playful, not-always-reliable narrator here is Pi Patel, played by newcomer Suraj Sharma as a teen and as a grown man reflecting back on his adventure by Irrfan Khan. As a youth, Pi, his parents and brother set out from India, where the family runs a zoo in a botanical garden, to Canada. Pi's father brings along some of his menagerie on their voyage, including a tiger named Richard Parker with which Pi had a terrifying encounter as a boy. Their ship sinks in a storm, with
Pi the only human survivor aboard a lifeboat with an orangutan, a hyena, a zebra with a broken leg and Richard Parker. Survival of the fittest thins their numbers into a life-and-death duel, and eventually an uneasy truce of companionship, between Richard Parker and Pi. This could be a one-note story
ful of scenes, but Richard Parker mostly is a digital creation, a remarkably realistic piece of computer animation seamlessly blended into the live action. The digital detail may be responsible for most of Richard Parker's fearful presence, though no small part of the tiger's impact is due to the nimble engagement of Sharma with
- please Mister Tiger, don't eat me. Yet Lee and screenwriter David Magee find rich and clever ways to translate even Pi's stillest mo-
a predator that wasn't actually there during production, a task hard enough for experienced performers, let alone a youth with no
Friendship cannot possibly exist between a hungry tiger and a scrawny kid alone on the open water, yet for that boy, if not the cat, the need for togetherness, some commune of spirits, is almost as strong as the need for food and water. ments, the film unfolding through intricate flashbacks, whimsical voice-overs, harrowing sea hazards and exquisite flashes of fantasy and hallucination. Lee used real tigers for a hand-
immersive, pulling viewers deeper into Pi's world so that the illusion of depth becomes essential to the story. Not all of the images live up to Lee's digital tiger or 3-D wizardry. Water is notoriously hard to simulate through computer animation, and the waves crashing down around the sinking ship or tossing Pi's lifeboat about have an unfinished, cartoony look. Still, Lee more than compensates with a world of visual wonders, from the simple image of a swimmer framed from below as though he's stroking his way across the sky to a mysterious island populated by a seemingly infinite number of meerkats. The rest of the cast is mostly inconsequential, including Gerard Depardieu in a fleeting role as a cruel ship's cook. The other people in Pi's life are filtered through this unusual youth's eyes, each of them catalysts in the development of his deep spirituality, which blends Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and other contradictory influ-
ences into a weirdly cohesive form of humanism. Like Martel's novel, the film disdains our inclination to anthropomorphize wild animals by ascribing human traits to them, and then turns around and subtly does just that. Friendship cannot possibly exist between a hungry tiger and a scrawny kid alone on the open water, yet for that boy, if not the cat, the need for togetherness, some commune of spirits, is almost as strong as the need for food and water. The ways in which Lee examines the strange bond between Pi and Richard Parker are wondrous, hilarious, unnerving, sometimes joyous, often melancholy. Pi's story may not, as one character states, make you believe in God. But you may leave the theater more open to the possibilities of higher things in the life of Pi, and in your own. 'Life of Pi', a 20th Century Fox release, is rated PG for emotional thematic content throughout, and some scary action sequences and peril. -AP
Ang Lee says 'Life of Pi' more than art film
acting experience. Digital 3-D usually is an unnecessary distraction not worth the extra admission price. In 'Life of Pi', like Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo', the 3-D images are tantalizing and
Scientists decode why Einstein was a genius WASHINGTON: Physicist Albert Einstein's brain had an "extraordinary" prefrontal cortex unlike those of most people which may have contributed to his remarkable genius, a new study has claimed. According to the study led by Florida State University evolutionary anthropologist Dean Falk, portions of Einstein's brain have been found to be unlike those of most people and could be related to his extraordinary cognitive abilities. Falk and his colleagues describe for the first time the entire cerebral cortex of Einstein's brain from an examination of 14 recently discovered photographs. The researchers compared Einstein's brain to 85 "normal" human brains and, in light of current functional imaging studies, interpreted its unusual features. "Although the overall size and
asymmetrical shape of Einstein's brain were normal, the prefrontal, somatosensory, primary motor, parietal, temporal and occipital
Physicist Albert Einstein
cortices were extraordinary. "These may have provided the neurological underpinnings for some of his visuospatial and mathematical abilities, for instance,"
said Falk. The study was published in the journal Brain. On Einstein's death in 1955, his brain was removed and photographed from multiple angles with the permission of his family. Furthermore, it was sectioned into 240 blocks from which histological slides were prepared. A great majority of the photographs, blocks and slides were lost from public sight for more than 55 years. The 14 photographs used by the researchers now are held by the National Museum of Health and Medicine. The study also published the "roadmap" to Einstein's brain prepared in 1955 by Dr Thomas Harvey to illustrate the locations within his previously whole brain of 240 dissected blocks of tissue, which provides a key to locating the origins within the brain of the newly emerged histological slides.-PTI
O
scar-winning director Ang Lee says he worked hard during the four years of shooting on Life of Pi to give the $100 million art house film appeal for general audiences. The movie based on Yann Martel's imaginative book stars Indian Suraj Sharma, who plays a boy who drifts on the open sea with a Bengal tiger and a hyena after a ship carrying the rest of his family sinks. "As an art house film, you can explore the philosophical issues," Lee said at a news conference. "But for a popular film, we also need to make the audience feel touched, and that was the difficult part." Lee said initial reaction to the film had been positive, leaving
him to conclude that his "risky experiment" would be a success. A major problem in the filming, Lee said, was coping with animals on a roiling sea - a problem Lee solved by filming in 3D. "As a new technology, 3D gives the film additional appeal," he said. Much of the film was shot in Taiwan, Lee's home. He said that one of the key settings - a large water tank built at a studio in the central city of Taichung - allowed the 150-strong foreign crew to use its imagination freely and not be restrained by traditional Hollywood production values. "I was relieved that they enjoyed their work in Taiwan. ... We couldn't have made the film if it were not for all the help we received," Lee said. -PTI
Tech News 2G scam: SC to decide action against Bharti NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has said it will decide on whether Bharti Telecom and its Chairman Sunil Mittal should be prosecuted or not on the allocation of additional spectrum during NDA regime, irrespective of opinions given by government law officers. "We are monitoring the case so the final opinion will be of this court," a bench of justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishnan said when the CBI contended that the case has been referred to Attorney General after differences cropping up between the investigating and prosecution wing of the agency on the issue.-PTI
Industrial cluster being developed in Kandi region HOSHIARPUR, Punjab: To give a fillip to the economy of Kandi region of the state, the Punjab government has planned industrial cluster in the area and land bank was being created for the purpose, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said here. "To give boost of industrialization to the Kandi region, the government has planned industrial cluster, for which land bank was being created," Badal said. The industrial cluster would be connected with rest of Punjab by expressway, he said. Talking to media-persons after inaugurating Rs 5.5 crore 66 KVA sub-station at Maula Wahid here, Badal said -PTI
Land Acquisition bill awaiting Cabinet nod NEW DELHI: The controversial Land Acquisition Bill has been finalized and the Union Cabinet is likely to take it up at its next meeting so that it can be brought in Parliament in the upcoming Winter Session. "The bill is finalized. It is going to Cabinet shortly," Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh told reporters here. Ramesh, who met Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, expressed hope that the bill could be brought in Parliament in the Winter Session. He, however, refused to give details of the final version of the bill, which has been surrounded by controversies.-PTI
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Theme hubs on Kundli-ManesarPalwal e-way CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has envisaged development of theme hubs - Leisure Hub, Sports Hub and Leather Hub - along Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway in proximity to Sohna town in Gurgaon district. The final Development Plan of Sohna, with a projected population of 6.40 lakh by 2031 AD, has been notified, a spokesman of Haryana Town and Country Planning Department said here. -PTI
Pakistan struggles in race to develop armed drones KARACHI, PAKISTAN: Pakistan is secretly racing to develop its own armed drones, frustrated with U.S. refusals to provide the aircraft, but is struggling in its initial tests with a lack of precision munitions and advanced targeting technology. One of Islamabad's closest allies and Washington's biggest rivals, China, has offered to help by selling Pakistan armed drones it developed. But industry experts say there is still uncertainty about the capabilities of the Chinese aircraft. The development of unmanned combat aircraft is especially sensitive in Pakistan because of the widespread unpopularity of the hundreds of U.S. drone strikes against Taliban and al-Qaida militants in the country's rugged tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The Pakistani government denounces the CIA strikes as a violation of the country's sovereignty, though senior civilian and military leaders are known to have supported at least some of the attacks in the past. Pakistani officials also call the strikes unproductive, saying they kill many civilians and fuel anger that helps militants recruit additional fighters - allegations denied by the U.S. Pakistan has demanded the U.S. provide it with armed drones, claiming it could more effectively carry out attacks against militants. Washington has refused because of the sensitive nature of the technology and doubts that Pakistan would reliably target U.S. enemies. The U.S. has held talks with Pakistan about providing unarmed surveillance drones, but Islamabad already has several types of these aircraft in operation, and the discussions have gone nowhere. Inaugurating a defense exhibition in the southern city of Karachi recently, Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf indicated Islamabad would look for help from Beijing in response to U.S. intransigence. ``Pakistan can also benefit from China in defense collaboration,
Visitors look at Pakistan-made unmanned aircraft at defense exhibition. Pakistan is secretly racing to develop its own armed drones, frustrated with U.S. refusals to provide the aircraft
offsetting the undeclared technological apartheid,'' said Ashraf. Pakistan has also been working to develop armed drones on its own, said Pakistani military officials and civilians involved in the domestic drone industry, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because of the classified nature of the work. Pakistan first began weapons
drone, the Shahpur, he said. An unarmed version of the Shahpur was unveiled for the first time at the Karachi exhibition. The weapons tests have been limited to a handful of aircraft, and no strikes have been carried out in combat, said the civilian. Pakistan lacks laser-guided missiles like the Hellfire used on U.S. Predator and Reaper drones and the
Pakistan first began weapons tests seven or eight months ago with the Falco, an Italian drone used by the Pakistani air force for surveillance that has been modified to carry rockets, said a civilian with knowledge of the secret program. The military is also conducting similar tests with the country's newest drone, the Shahpur, he said tests seven or eight months ago with the Falco, an Italian drone used by the Pakistani air force for surveillance that has been modified to carry rockets, said a civilian with knowledge of the secret program. The military is also conducting similar tests with the country's newest
advanced targeting system that goes with it, so the military has been using unguided rockets that are much less accurate. While Hellfire missiles are said to have pinpoint accuracy, the rockets used by Pakistan have a margin of error of about 30 meters
(100 feet) at best, and an unexpected gust of wind could take them 300 meters (1,000 feet) from their intended target, said the civilian. Even if Pakistan possessed Hellfires and the guidance system to use them, the missile's weight and drag would be a challenge for the small drones produced by the country. Pakistan's largest drone, the Shahpur, has a wingspan of about seven meters (22 feet) and can carry 50 kilograms (110 pounds). The U.S. Predator, which can be equipped with two Hellfire missiles, has a wingspan more than twice that and a payload capacity over four times as great. Pakistani drones also have much more limited range than those produced in the U.S. because they are operated based on ``line of sight'' using radio waves, rather than military satellites. The Shahpur has a maximum range of 250 kilometers (150 miles), while the Predator can fly over five times that distance. The British newspaper The Guardian reported that Pakistan was working on an armed drone but did not provide details. -AP
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Intel CEO Paul Otellini Ajay Banga, Chanda Kochhar among Fortune businesspersons to retire in surprise move NEW YORK: MasterCard's India-born CEO Ajay Banga and ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar have been named by Fortune magazine among the '2012 Businesspersons of the Year', an annual ranking of 50 global leaders who are "the best in business". The list has been topped by Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos with Apple CEO Tim Cook coming in at the second place. Another Indian giving Banga and Kochhar Company in the list of 50 global business leaders is Deepak Narula, founder and managing partner of hedge fund firm Metacapital Management. Banga, 52 ranks eighth in the list while Kochhar comes in at the 18th position, one notch ahead of billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffet. Narula ranks 36th. Fortune said investors have so far been impressed with Banga's performance at the helm of MasterCard. "Since Banga took the helm two years ago, MasterCard's stock has more than doubled, outperforming archrival Visa," it said, adding that the former Citigroup executive
wants MasterCard to be a leader in the mobile payments revolution. Banga's other big bet includes prepaid cards in emerging markets such as Mexico, South Africa and Brazil, a major reason why MasterCard now generates 60 per cent of its revenues outside the US. On Kochhar, 51, Fortune said a
"Next up for the ICICI lifer: More global clients," the publication added. On Narula, Fortune said the former Lehman trader's USD 1.5 billion mortgage-focused hedge fund has "left others in the industry in the dust this year, posting 37 per cent returns through October".
Ajay Banga
Chanda Kochhar
bullish outlook through the recession helped her direct India's second largest bank, which has assets of USD 93 billion, to a "standout performance".
"Metacapital has outpaced other funds for years by taking positions with near perfect foresight of policy change and movement in the housing market".-PTI
SAN FRANCISCO: After almost 40 years at Intel, Chief Executive Paul Otellini is retiring, just as the company struggles with a momentous challenge: computing's big shift to mobile devices. Otellini, 62, surprised the technology world by announcing that he would retire as an officer and director of the chip company in May, three years before he reaches Intel's mandatory retirement age. The board said it would immediately begin a search for a successor. During a tenure that began in May 2005, Otellini established a strong track record. He increased Intel's revenue 57 percent, to $55 billion, at the end of 2011 and slightly widened its gross profit margin. Along the way, Otellini had to settle an antitrust suit for $1.25 billion, convinced Apple to put Intel chips in its computers and cut 20,000 workers. Intel, the world's largest semiconductor maker, now
SC pulls up Center for being 'casual' in 2G case NEW DELHI: Ticking off the Government for being "very casual" in handling the 2G case, the Supreme Court of India has said withholding of even 0.1 per cent of spectrum, licenses for which were cancelled, will not be acceptable. A bench of justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishanan also directed the Centre to file a fresh affidavit within two days explaining why all the 2G spectrum was not put on auction on November 12. "Government is very casual in dealing with the matter," the bench said while turning down an affidavit filed by an Under Secretary-level officer on the matter and directed that it must be filed by Secretary of Department of Telecom. "This affidavit cannot be accepted. It has been filed by Under Secretary officer. Our earlier order clearly said that affidavit must be filed by Secretary-level officer. This is a deliberate action on the part of DoT," the bench said. "On earlier occasion the court had unequivocally rejected affidavit filed by an Under Secretary. It is unfortunate that the same mistake has been done again. Needful should be done within two days," it said.
The court said that it would hear Center's stand on auction but
"Keep in mind that withholding of spectrum, even 0.1 per cent
‘Keep in mind that withholding of spectrum, even 0.1 per cent would not be acceptable,’ the bench said adding that it was never told earlier that the entire 2G spectrum would not be put on auction. made it clear that withholding of spectrum from being auctioned would not be acceptable.
would not be acceptable," the bench said adding that it was never told earlier that the entire 2G spec-
trum would not be put on auction. "At no point of time this court was informed that the auction was only for 800 and 1800 MHz band," the bench observed. It was contended before the court that government has not complied with the apex court's direction and it has withheld 136 MHz spectrum out of 431 MHz in 1800 band. The apex court had on February 2 cancelled 122 licenses for 2G spectrum and directed the government to allocate the natural resource by auction. The government had received on November 12 bids worth Rs 9,224.75 crore on the opening day of auction for 2G mobile phone spectrum that drew scant interest due to high base price. The government was hoping to net a minimum revenue of Rs 28,000 crore in the auction. There was no bidder for panIndia airwaves for which the government had set a base or bid start price of Rs 14,000 crore. Demand was concentrated in select circles like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh (East) and Uttar Pradesh (West). . The government contended that withholding of spectrum was done on the recommendation of the TRAI.-PTI
employs 100,000 people. But the company's share price has fallen about 20 percent in Otellini's time. That is because the world of personal computers and computer servers, which Intel dominated partly through a close relationship with Microsoft, now competes with a global explosion of smartphones and tablets, which connect to large data centers. While Intel has some presence in these areas, it faces many new competitors and challenges, both
Paul Otellini
to its business and to its way of thinking about products. The right successor to Otellini, said Andrew Bryant, Intel's chairman, would preserve Intel's famously engineering-driven culture but turn it into an organization that is better able to anticipate rapidly changing consumer tastes. "We don't see the PC category going away, but we see that the market has changed," Bryant said. "We need to figure out what the market wants." Otellini could not be reached for comment. In a statement issued by Intel, he said that "after almost four decades with the company and eight years as CEO, it's time to move on and transfer Intel's helm to a new generation of leadership." Last month Intel reported that its third-quarter net income fell 14.3 percent from a year earlier, to $3 billion, largely because of poor demand for PCs. The research firm IDC said worldwide PC shipments fell 8.6 percent to 87.8 million units in the third quarter. Adding to the woes, Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system, which Intel hoped would lift sales, was released in October to tepid reviews. While they are both hurting from the PC plunge, Intel and Microsoft may be the best of a troubled bunch. Advanced Micro Devices, Intel's top competitor in chips for PCs, was forced last week to deny rumors that it was looking for a buyer. Its stock is down about 65 percent this year.
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Smartphone screen identifies fingernails, knuckle touch A computer scientist in the US has built a prototype smartphone that can distinguish between touches from the knuckle, fingertip and even fingernail. To open up the smartphone screens to commands from other parts of the hand, Chris Harrison, from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, has built the prototype. A modified smartphone, fitted with a small vibration sensor and running Harrison's FingerSense software, listens for the acoustic and vibrational differences between the three different types of touch, the New Scientist reported. A fingertip could select an object while a knuckle tap could work like the right-click on a computer mouse and open up a submenu, for example. "A big problem with touchscreens right now is that they are very simplistic, relative to the capability of our hands. We could do so much more," Harrison said.
"The more ways you have of expressing input into smartphones the better," said Joseph Paradiso at the MIT Media
is already in talks with major phone manufacturers to do just that. "The real magic is in the soft-
Lab in Boston, who has worked on similar technology. Harrison said the sensor is a standard piece of electronics that can be added to the main circuit board of any smartphone, and he
ware, this artificial intelligence that lives in the heart of the phone," he said. Harrison has just launched a company called Qeexo to sell his device.-PTI
GM launches Chevrolet Sail U-VA in Jammu JAMMU: General Motors India have launched the all-new Chevrolet Sail U-VA car here. "We have launched the Sail UVA hatchback in Jammu and it is built on a new global small passenger car platform created especially for fast-growing emerging
agement and New Business Development, General Motors India, Sastry Vempati told reporters here. Engineers at the GM Technical Centre-India in Bangalore spent nearly two years adapting the platform for India to ensure that it would meet the requirements of the
"The much-anticipated Chevrolet Sail U-VA hatchback is an important addition to GM's small car portfolio in India, Vempati said. "It brings a new sense of vitality to the largest, fastest-growing and most competitive segment in the domestic passenger car market," Vempati added. He said that the Sail U-VA hatchback's exterior exudes Chevrolet's sporty styling. The front view f e a t u r e s Chevrolet's signature design cues, including a dual-port grille adorned with a gold bowtie. The car is available in seven exterior colors including Super Red, Ashwani Muppasani, VP-Sales, Marketing & After sales, GM India , and P Balendra, VPSwitchblade SilCorporate Affairs, pose with the newly launched SAIL U-VA car in Ahmedabad on Nov 17 ver, Summit White, Caviar markets, including India", Vice Indian market and Indian car buy- Black, Linen Beige, Sandrift Grey President, Planning Program Man- ers, he said. and Misty Lake, he added.-PTI
University Hospital doctors concerned after merger LOUISVILLE, Ky.: Doctors at Louisville's University Hospital worry that Catholic health rules will affect patient care under a new partnership with KentuckyOne Health. KentuckyOne's majority owner is Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives. KentuckyOne and the university have said that the hospital's policies for reproductive and end-of-life care will not be affected by the new partnership. But staff and physicians are being asked to ``respect'' Catholic health directives. The exceptions are the hospital's pharmacy and it's Center for Women and Infants, which remain under the management of the University Medical Center. Sheila Reynertson, who tracks secular-religious hospital mergers, told The Courier-Journal,
``We're glad to see the Center for Women and Infants and hospital pharmacy will be independent of the directives. That's great. But for the rest of the building, that language about respecting the (directives) puts doctors in a difficult position.'' For instance, cancer doctors may wonder about prescribing birth control to prevent pregnancy, she said. Catholic directives include a ban on sterilization, abortions, and euthanasia and say Catholic health institutions can't ``promote or condone contraceptive practices.'' Asked whether Catholic directives must be followed in nonUMC-controlled areas of the hospital, Dr. David Dunn, U of L executive vice president for health affairs, said ``it's not a yes-or-no answer.'' -AP
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Realty Tidbits
Mysore govt reclaims encroached land MYSORE: The Mysore Urban Development Authority (Muda) has reclaimed the prime land at Hebbal II stage which it had acquired two decades ago, but was later encroached upon by one of the land losers. The urban body has now decided to man its prime properties regularly and initiate disciplinary action against officials in case its properties are allowed to encroach. The urban body will file a case with the police in a move to send out tough message to land grabbers. During the drive to reclaim the three-acre property, there was tension as it was opposed. However, the intervention of police brought the situation under control. "I've directed the officials that they will face the music in case the land acquired is encroached. There are instances wherein the prime properties are not protected. There are examples when the officials have misrepresented the facts," Muda commissioner C G Betsurmath said.
„ Unitech Q2 profit declines 47 recent NEW DELHI: Real estate firm Unitech has reported 46.80 per cent fall in its consolidated net profit at Rs 49.19 crore for the quarter ended September 30. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 92.46 crore in the corresponding period last year, Unitech said in a statement. The consolidated net income during the second quarter also went down by 20.54 per cent to Rs 539.83 crore from Rs 679.35 crore in the year-ago period, it added. As on September 30, Unitech's consolidated net debt stood at Rs 5,566 crore, the statement said. "Net debt to equity ratio as of September 30, 2012, was 0.47, one of the lowest in the industry," it added. The company further said it received sales bookings of 1.55 million sq ft, worth Rs 836 crore during the July-September period, up 19.26 per cent from the previous quarter of this fiscal. -PTI
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Details on page 37
Despite plunging sales, demand for luxury homes booming MUMBAI: Driven by new offerings, greater influx of NRIs and changing lifestyles, the demand for luxury and ultra-luxury homes with a price-tag in the range of Rs 1-20 crore, or even more in some cases, is again making a comeback in metros, according to a report. Despite sluggishness in overall real estate sector, a few luxury residential projects were launched in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Chennai in October, according to a report by real estate consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). "Demand for luxury housing is growing gradually mainly due to the rise in the number of high networth individuals (HNIs), rapid pace of urbanization, influx of global lifestyle trends and an increase in the number of NRIs," real estate consultancy firm JLL research head Ashutosh Limaye said. For instance, the per unit price at under-construction World One Tower by Lodha Group in Central Mumbai has a price tag of up to Rs 50 crore.
"The value of luxury homes will be fuelled by the presence of around 1.53 lakh HNIs whose numbers are growing at a fast rate, people who inherited wealth and
Demand for luxury housing is growing gradually mainly due to the rise in the number of high networth individuals (HNIs), rapid pace of urbanization, influx of global lifestyle trends Also, the recent fall in the value of rupee in global financial markets boosted buyers' interest in investing in luxury housing and encouraged developers to launch luxury and super-luxury housing projects priced from Rs 1 crore and running up to Rs 20 crore, Limaye said.
The total value of luxury homes, launched in 182 luxury residential apartments, offering a total of 25,570 units across the top seven cities of NCR-Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata in 2008-2012 was around USD 30 billion, the report said.
have dynamic lifestyles, as well as those in the newly rich segment," Limaye said. Lodha, Sunteck, Kohinoor Developers, Sobha, DLF, Hiranandani are some of the players who largely cater to the luxury residential segment.
Aiming big, Punjab to incentivise skyscrapers NEW DELHI: With land resources shrinking and property prices shooting, Punjab is all set to lead India on the path of green growth by subsidizing high-rise and energy efficient buildings in the state. The state government has plans to attract massive skyscrapers in its cities and incentivise high rise and energyefficient constructions through its new Real Estate Policy to be unveiled by mid-December. "We will incentivise high-rise constructions in our new real es-
tate policy. But Punjab must have the tallest building in the country," said state deputy chief min-
ability of land in urban areas which is why the state was keen to promote high-rise buildings to make
The move was rooted in rapid urbanization and lesser availability of land in urban areas which is why the state was keen to promote high-rise buildings to make optimal utilization of urban spaces ister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Sources in Punjab government said that the move was rooted in rapid urbanization and lesser avail-
optimal utilization of urban spaces and employ modern, energy efficient technologies in such constructions.
The new policy for the real estate sector, currently being fine tuned, will incorporate measures to promote the use of green materials to create sustainable buildings and thereby boost the emerging concept of green growth with low carbon emissions. "The state wants to encourage modern technology and energy-efficient housing materials. For this, we are working on providing incentives to green and solar powered buildings," a top state government official told PTI. -PTI
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Real estate investments Fishing in 'secondary waters' no child's play remain sluggish T
KOLKATA: Despite aggressive marketing and offers made by real estate developers during the days before Diwali, investments in property have remained lukewarm due to high prices of houses in and around the National Capital Region (NCR), according to a survey by industry body Assocham. The major factors behind the slump are high prices of land and unprecedented rise in the cost of construction materials, iron, cement and labor, the survey said. The demand saw a surge of only 20 per cent on the eve of the festival compared to the normal average sale per month, the survey said. The survey was carried out in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh and Dehradun, gathering information from 250
property dealers, noted 40 builders/ developers and 20 divisions of housing financing. Majority of the developers
The survey report suggested that the government should act as a facilitator rather than a regulator of the real estate projects, particularly where demand is more than supply have complained that inordinate delays in getting necessary approvals from multiple regulations and authorities resulted in cost and time overruns.
There was another factor at play which is apathy of banks in financing real estate projects in the absence of industry status, said the Assocham survey. Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said the resale or secondary market was dull this festive season as there was very little resale going specially in the NCR and surrounding areas. The survey report suggested that the government should act as a facilitator rather than a regulator of the real estate projects, particularly where demand is more than supply. Also, all approvals of real estate projects must be accorded in a time bound, accountable and simplifies manner. Process and status of all approvals be made on line so as to bring transparency. The state governments should complete their land records process and make the same computerized and supporting infrastructure; not only transportation and logistics but also water, power, housing, healthcare and sanitation must be taken up in tandem, it said. According to the survey, the government must grant industry status to the real estate sector and the real estate projects must be classified as infrastructure and priority lending should be made available for keeping pace with the demand and supply scenario. -PTI
Relief for CWG Village apartment buyers
I
n a major relief to the high-profile Commonwealth Games Village flat buyers, the sub-registrar (Geeta Colony) has begun registering their apartments at the original purchase price. All the 20
partment held up the registration process for calculating stamp duty. The apartment owners wanted to pay stamp duty on the purchase cost of the flat, which was around R12000 per square
applications presented for registration before the sub-registrar have been cleared. The issue got mired in controversy when the revenue de-
feet while the revenue department wanted to factor in the prevailing market price of around R20,000 per sq ft. The legal position was that the
stamp duty had to be charged either on circle rate or purchase cost, whichever was higher. In case of CWG apartment owners, the purchase cost ( R12,000 per sq ft) was much higher than the circle rate (then at R7009 per sq ft). According to a close source in the revenue department, "The matter would have taken months, but once the story appeared in HT Estates, the Collector of Stamp, who is a quasi-judicial authority in these matters, expedited the whole issue and took a call to levy the stamp duty on the purchase cost of the apartments." Now CWG flat buyers need to get their flats registered before the circle rates go up. "The circle rates of various kinds of properties in Delhi may go up anywhere between 30% to 100% or even more than that. In case it doubles, the apartment buyers will have to pay more stamp duty, so they should get their flats registered as soon as possible."
he primary advantage of going in for a resale flat would lie in buying a home in a strategic location where no new supply is coming in. If one has personal cash resources at one's disposal and is not dependent on a home loan (a home loan on a very old property cannot be taken for granted), buying a home in a project that is 20 years or more in age can be a good investment bet if the residential property is in a strategic, high demand location with low or no new supply. This would mean that the project would come up for redevelopment, ensuring a tidy profit to the owner. Documentation and procedures All the documents that are applicable for a primary residential property sale would be required for a clear resale flat transaction, as well. The seller should be able to produce all original documents. The buyer should establish the existence of a proper society. The original sales deed and the society share certificate are most important, since the transaction cannot proceed without these. Also, the buyer should bear in mind that in the case of a resale property, proper transfer and re-registration is necessary. The documents required for registration of residential flats, apart from the sale deed, include a letter from the housing society that reflects details such as the number of floors in the building, the year of construction, the apartment's built-up area and the number of lifts in the building. Also required is an assessment bill to the society from the municipality in question, an NOC from the Collector if the building exists on Collector's land, a copy of the property card, and a receipt for the payment of registration fees. In addition, the buyer of a resale flat should ask for a clear ownership history if the residential property has changed hands before. The local registrar will establish the authenticity of these documents. If one is buying the property via a home loan, the bank will
run a routine due diligence. The price factor Are resale properties always cheaper? Not necessarily. In the larger cities, new residential property supply is scarce or non-existent in many central locations. In such areas, there would not be a question of discounts on resale properties. Discounts are more prevalent in areas where the market is more competitive. That said, resale properties are sold either by the primary owners or by investors. As such, there is a higher possibility of flexibility in payment terms. Challenges and pitfalls There are certain challenges that a buyer of a resale flat may face.
The buyer should establish the existence of a proper society. The original sales deed and the society share certificate are most important This could include lack of proper chain of documentation, especially in cases where the property has changed hands more than a couple of times in the past. If the property is over 18-20 years old, it is possible that it was never formally registered in the first place. Registering it at the current point in time would put the onus of paying the stamp duty in arrears on the buyer. There may also be additional expenses for repairs to masonry, plumbing, electrical wiring and fittings. Obtaining a home loan for a property which is anywhere close to 50 years of age can also be a challenge. Finally, one should bear in mind that the Indian residential property market is in a constant state of evolution. One is unlikely to find the facilities and amenities that are available in the newer projects on the market in an older building.
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While in Khajjiar, you can visit the huge golf course that is located in the town, and take a walk through the green meadows. It is a nine-hole golf course, and golf enthusiasts can catch a game in the course. You can also visit the Khajjiar Lake during your trip to the region. The lake and its surrounding forests have a magical look and feel, and the Khajjiar Lake is a very famous tourist hotspot in the region. The famous Khajjinag temple is located near the lake, which is a very important destination for pilgrims. There are also options for horse riding in the town of Khajjiar.
K
hajjiar town in Himachal Pradesh is known for its many meadows and ethereal beauty and is a very popular tourist destination and hotspot. Nestled amidst green surroundings, it is located at an altitude of around 6400 feet above sea level. This picturesque town has a rich heritage, and many kingdoms have influenced its culture through the years, including the Mughal and Rajput kingdoms.
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Tourist Attractions Khajjiar Lake The Khajjiar Lake is one of the prime attractions of Khajjiar, located around 20 kms from Dalhousie. This perennial lake is fed by small streams and is panoramically situated amidst the cedar forests and hills. The lake is located at a height of 1950 mt above sea level and is ideal for picnicking. Golden Devi Temple The Golden Devi temple in Khajjiar adorns a golden dome and is scenically located in the middle of the
golf course. Khajji Naga Shrine One of the oldest and holiest temples in Himachal Pradesh, Khajjinag Temple is dedicated to Khajji Nag
The lake and its surrounding forests have a magical look and feel, and the Khajjiar Lake is a very famous tourist hotspot in the region. Located around 20 kms from Dalhousie, this perennial lake is fed by small streams and is panoramically situated amidst the cedar forests and hills. (serpent god). The temple is known to have been built in the 12th century and has been beautifully carved out of wood. The highlight of the temple is the mandapa where one can see the images of the Pandavas and the defeated Kaurvas hanging from the roof. Cont’d on page 41
Khajjin ag Tem ple
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Khajjiar: Known for its many meadows & ethereal beauty Cont’d from page 40
Horse Riding Horse riding is one of the most common means of travel in Khajjiar. This activity can be enjoyed around the lake. Pony and
can be reached only via trekking. Khajjiar also serves as the base for trekking excursions for Dalhousie, Chamba and Kalatop Wildlife sanctuary. The trekking routes in Khajjiar are categorized as easy and can be undertaken by
Group playing Zorbing Horse riders
horse rides can only be enjoyed during the summer season. Trekking The scenic village of Khajjiar is best explored while trekking. The hills surrounding enclosing Khajjiar offer some of the most exotic and breathtaking views of the surroundings and these hill tops
people of all ages. Zorbing Zorbing is an upcoming sport that is gaining immense popularity in India. Zorbing can be enjoyed on the huge slopes of Khajjiar meadows. Tourists should expect to pay anywhere between Rs 200- 300 per person.
This sport can be enjoyed only during the summer season. How to reach By Road: Khajjiar is well connected with most of the cities of the state with well developed and sophisticated roads. This place is easily accessible by road and is
hardly about one and a half hours driving from Dalhousie and Chamba. Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates bus services, connecting Khajjiar with the major cities in and around the state. By Train: The nearest railway
station for Khajjiar is Pathankot, 80 kms from the hill resort. By Air: The nearest airport from Khajjiar is Gaggal which is situated in Kangra and the other one is in Pathankot in Punjab, situated at a distance of 180 km and 80 kms respectively.
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Omar stresses preserving Abu Dhabi to conduct Kashmir's natural beauty road shows in India
JAMMU: Tourism development should not disturb local ecology and environment of tourist spots in Jammu and Kashmir as people visit them for their natural beauty, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here. Chairing the sixth meeting of Pahalgam Development Authority here, Omar said revival of tourism industry would open up economic
opportunities for people and help in the growth of economy. He, however, added that while planning tourist infrastructure, maintenance and conservation of environment and ecology should be made the top most priority. "People visit us for the natural beauty and scenic splendor God has bestowed on the state. It should be our prime duty to protect and
preserve this novelty and specialty for present and future generation," the Chief Minister said. Eco-friendly tourism should be popularized and mass awareness needs to be spread in this regard, he said. The meeting was attended by Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Rafi Ahmad Mir and other senior officers. The meeting discussed matters relating to upgradation of water supply and electricity facilities in Pahalgam and adjacent areas. It also discussed issues relating to drainage and beautification of Beetab Valley, development of additional picnic spots and camping sites, disposal of garbage, development of walk-ways, registration of ponies and creating skiing slopes in Aru. -PTI
DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority will conduct road shows in five India cities as part of efforts to create destination awareness. "Within India, the road show program (next November) will be done in five cities, including Ahmedabad, from which Etihad this month will commence daily flights to Abu Dhabi," Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) International Promotions Manager Mubarak Al Nuaimi said. The authority will mount destination pavilions at 16 trade fairs in 13 countries, it said, adding next year TCA will stage 19 road shows across eight countries with focus on emerging CIS countries, India, China and South American markets. "This is aligned with our own promotional development strategy which foresees, early next year, an on-the-ground TCA Abu Dhabi representational office within India, which is now the destination's second most productive international source market for hotel guests after the UK," he said in a statement re-
leased by UAE's official news agency Wam. TCA will lead a pavilion and delegation for the first time to the World Travel Market Latin America in Sao Paolo, Brazil next April. "Our aim at this particular
The authority will mount destination pavilions at 16 trade fairs in 13 countries, it said, adding next year TCA will stage 19 road shows across eight countries show will be to spread destination awareness within the Brazilian market and forge a network of trade partners in this increasing important region," Al Nuaimi said. TCA's road shows will be spread across China, Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Australia and India. -PTI
Nepal to organize tourism marts to attract Indian visitors KATHMANDU: Nepal plans to organize tourism marts in three major cities of the country next year to attract Indian visitors to help the nation's ailing tourism industry. The tourism marts will be organized in capital city Kathmandu, popular tourist destination Pokhara and Lumbini, birth place of Lord Buddha, in 2013 to promote Indian tourism in the country, Tourism Secretary Yagna Gautam said during a program organized in the capital to mark 14th anniversary of Nepal Tourism Board. Nepal had a major setback in the tourist arrivals last month, which saw the number of tourists coming by air to the country down by 7.3 per cent with Indian tourist arrivals registering a 30 per cent decline. The number of Indian visitors has declined from last October's 9,727 to 6,798 in October this year. The number of Indian tourists decreased mainly due to the antiIndia campaign launched by CPNMaoist, breakaway faction of the Maoist party led by hardline leader Mohan Vaidya.
The party had launched a month-long campaign to restrict entry of Indian number plate vehicles and screening of Hindi films in Nepalese cinema halls in September.
Nepal had a major setback in the tourist arrivals last month. The number of Indian tourists decreased mainly due to the anti-India campaign launched by CPNMaoist, breakaway faction of the Maoist party led by hardline leader Mohan Vaidya Nepalese Tourism Ministry has already initiated discussions with the officials of Indian Embassy in Kathmandu for organizing the tourism marts, secretary Gautam told PTI, adding necessary preparations will soon be made to organize the event. -PTI
November 30, 2012
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Tourist inflow in Kanha & Pench halved Forest department brings out NAGPUR: At a time when parks owner and resident of Khatia. due to curtailed tourism comes to booklet on Ranthambore in the world are integrating conDeputy Director of Kanha S M around Rs 30 crore, and close to servation with economic development of locals and nurturing environment, premium tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh seem to be heading the other way. The main focus of ecotourism policy framed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is to benefit locals but curtailed tourism in reserves like Kanha and Pench in MP after the Supreme Court judgment has badly hit stakeholders. Both Kanha and Pench have cut down the number of vehicles allowed in by half, directly affecting locals who work as guides, operate Gypsys and run small businesses near reserves. The move is set to render many locals who work in private resorts unemployed. In Kanha, until last season, the carrying capacity was 280 vehicles per day from two gates Khatia and Mukki. Now it has been reduced to 140 - 83 in the morning and 57 in the evening. Similarly, in Pench, 130 vehicles were allowed earlier but now number been cut to 51 - 30 in the morning and 21 in the evening from three gates Karmazari, Turia and Jamtara. The carrying capacity has been calculated by first measuring the length of the route that the vehicles will take, a visibility factor of 50 yards on each side of the road, and a distance of 500 yards between each vehicle to arrive at a number. NGOs working for tiger conservation with the help of locals around the parks ask whether conservation can succeed if communities living near parks are alienated and harmed monetarily. "Conservation of tigers is factoring our progress by way of livelihood. We feel alienated as our livelihood has been hit. Such insane policies will lead to socioeconomic destruction," said Alim Sheikh Rashid (name changed), a Gypsy-
Mohanty justified the move. "We are following the NTCA guidelines. Earlier, 47% core area of the park was opened. As per the revised
guidelines we have brought it down to 20%," Mohanty said. Similar is the situation in other parks in MP, he added. "The arguments went on for three months and stakeholders were asked for their viewpoint. If
Around 250 youths from villages around Pench work in resorts. These youths are on the verge of losing their jobs as, with occupancy down, most resort owners are planning to withdraw them. they still have any problems, they should take it up with the government," Mohanty stressed. According to rough estimates by Nishikant Mukherjee, a retired professor who works with Baiga tribals in Kanha, income and revenue loss
loss of 4 lakh man hours of employment of locals around Kanha. Mukherjee called for a debate on the track record of NTCA.
"What has been the track record of NTCA? 40 years ago at the start of 'Project Tiger' there were 2,500 tigers in India. Now there are 1,706 tigers left. What is their great achievement," asks Mukherjee. Pench Jungle Lodges Federation secretary Sandeep Singh agrees. He says with curtailed tourism, local Gypsy owners are sitting idle and guides who used to earn Rs 200-400 daily are now deprived of sustained income. Singh informed around 250 youths from villages around Pench work in resorts. These youths are on the verge of losing their jobs as, with occupancy down, most resort owners are planning to withdraw them. Singh said Pench has already been booked during December but occupancy of resorts is dull. Tourism has also hit local shopowners from whom purchases are made by resort owners. Hundreds of visitors, unaware of the new rule, had to return without a safari after parks reopened in October. "Under such circumstances, why would resort owners pay the mandatory conservation fee to the parks," Singh adds.
Ropeway a new attraction in Digha KOLKATA: Finally, Digha is going to have a ropeway for tourists. The ropeway, to be around 150 to 200 meter long, will be set up over Amarabati Park in Digha. There is also a plan to have a ropeway parallel to the beach between New Digha and old Digha, but that will require coastal zone clearance. After inviting the expression of interest, pre-bid meeting, presentation and financial evaluation, an agency has been identified which will set it up. The ropeway will move along the Lake in Amarabati Park. The length of the ropeway has been estimated to be of 150 to 200 meters and tourists will also be able to get a larger view of Digha from
the ropeway. The government is in touch with the coastal zone authorities to work out the modalities of the bigger ropeway project, which will move over the beach between Old and New Digha. Following chief minister Mamata Banerjee's instructions, the state government has been working to develop the coastal areas of Digha, Shankarpur, Tajpur and Mandarmani as attractive destinations. The Digha Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) was working at sprucing up the overall civic infrastructure of the area like setting up roads, keeping the beaches clean, revamping the drainage system and having a solid
waste management program in place. A beautification program was also under way. Among some project plans that the authorities were working on was setting up a mega tourism hub, an ayurvedic health centre, an aqua hub and a deer park. A land use and development control plan is under preparation for the area and the government is also working on the World Bank-assisted coastal zone management program. Not only the coastal areas, the state is also working to develop other areas like Gangasagar as a special tourism destination. About 20 tourist guest houses are being set up in the area.
JAIPUR: The next time you visit the Ranthambore National Park, you needn't depend on the tourist guide to help you identify the tiger you just spotted. Tiger lovers at the reserve along with the forest department are set to bring a handbook with information on everything in and around the reserve. "The book titled 'Face to Face - Tigers of Ranthambore' while giving minutiae about tigers would also briefly mention other species, flora and fauna in the tiger reserve. Besides being a handbook for conservationists and tiger lovers, it would also help tourists identify the tigers that they spot," said Bina Kak minister of tourism and forests. Ranthambore boasts of 27 adult tigers and 25 cubs. "The book would specify the tiger zones besides giving left and right side (stripes) profile pictures of each tiger and the cub. For instance, if a tourist spots a particular tiger, he can quickly match the stripes with the said tiger in that zone and know for sure if that's the same tiger," said Kak, a wildlife enthusiast. The guide would then not be able to
mislead a tourist, the minister added. The handbook will be updated every year. "The book would also christen all the tigers for the tourists to have an emotional connect with the big cat. While the forest department would have the tech-
Ranthambore boasts of 27 adult tigers and 25 cubs. "The book would specify the tiger zones besides giving left and right side (stripes) profile pictures of each tiger and the cub” nical numbers for the tigers, for a visitor T-17 could simply be 'Sundari' or T-28 'Star Male', a father to six cubs," she said. The book would also have information on the weight, age of the tigers as well as contact details of NGOs, hospitals, a map of the town and ways to reach there.
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In Brief Support sought for immigration museum WASHINGTON: A coalition of ethnic and minority groups is asking President Barack Obama to create a presidential commission to consider establishing a museum to explore the history of immigration and migration that formed the nation. In a letter, the group called on Obama to appoint a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of the American People in Washington. The group wrote that such an effort would serve as an ``act of reconciliation'' in the wake of the election. In 2011, the coalition worked with members of Congress to introduce legislation calling for the museum. -AP
Chicago Aldermen urge licenses for immigrants CHICAGO: The Chicago City Council has passed a resolution urging Illinois' General Assembly to pass legislation requiring immigrant drivers to be trained, tested, licensed and insured. Alderman Danny Solis says the action shows Chicago supports ``sensible and reasonable legislation'' to protect ``Illinois highways and families.'' The resolution was approved with 28 votes. A statement from aldermen who backed the resolution says approximately 250,000 immigrant drivers in Illinois currently can't get a driver's licenses. And it notes 42 percent of all fatal car accidents in the state last year involved unlicensed drivers. -AP
Colo. illegal immigrants hoping for exemption GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.: About 200,000 young illegal immigrants in Colorado may qualify for an exemption under a federal program that provides temporary relief and work permits for immigrants who entered the country as children. Immigrants from Mexico, Eastern Europe, Honduras, Colombia and Guatemala attended meetings in Grand Junction recently to learn about the program. According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, many young people waited until after the election to see if the federal program would continue. -AP
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Fed judge OKs SC law allowing immigration checks COLUMBIA, S.C.: A federal judge has ruled that a South Carolina law allowing police to check people's immigration status can go into effect during a lawsuit but kept in place a ban on other parts of the state's tough new legislation. Details on page 46
Comprehensive immigration reform soon: Obama WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama plans to give new thrust to a comprehensive immigration reform in the country one that would not only address the issue of illegal immigrants but also how to attract and retain highly skilled manpower from countries like India. At his maiden White House press meet following his re-election, Obama said he is very confident that they can get immigration reform done. Noting that there has been bipartisan support to this effort, Obama said there is need to seize the moment. "My expectation is that we get a bill introduced and we begin the process in Congress very soon after my inauguration. In fact, some conversations I think are already beginning to take place among senators and congressmen and my staff about what would this look like," he said. "When I say comprehensive immigration reform, it is very similar to the outlines of previous efforts at comprehensive immigration reform. I think it should include a continuation of the strong border security measures that we've taken because we have to secure our borders. "I think it should contain seri-
President Barack Obama answers questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington
If you've got a PhD in physics or computer science who wants to stay here and start a business here, we shouldn't make it harder for him to stay here ous penalties for companies that are purposely hiring undocumented workers and taking advantage of them," Obama said. Taking about DREAM Act that would provide conditional permanent residency to certain undocumented minor immigrants, he said," Obviously, making sure that
we put into law what the first step that we've taken administratively dealing with the DREAM Act kids is very important as well. "One thing that I'm very clear about is that young people who are brought here through no fault of their own, who have gone to school here, pledged allegiance to
our flag, want to serve in our military, want to go to school and contribute to our society, that they shouldn't be under the cloud of deportation, that we should give them every opportunity to earn their citizenship," Obama noted. And there are other components to it, he said. "The business community continues to be concerned about getting enough high-skill workers, and I am a believer that if you've got a PhD in physics or computer science who wants to stay here and start a business here, we shouldn't make it harder for him to stay here; we should try to encourage him to contribute to this society," Obama said. The agricultural sector obviously has very specific concerns about making sure that they've got a workforce that helps deliver food to tables. "So there are going to be a bunch of components to it, but I think whatever process we have needs to make sure our border security is strong, needs to deal with employers effectively, needs to provide a pathway for the undocumented here, needs to deal with the DREAM Act kids. And I think that's something that we can get done," Obama said. -PTI
Obama wins and so does immigration reform GARY ENDELMAN & CYRUS D. MEHTA
S
ince President Obama's decisive re-election victory, there has been a growing realization, mainly among Republicans, that the party will continue to be decimated in future elections if it does not take action on reforming the broken immigration system. It is clear that Romney's comments on self-deportation, along with his embrace of Kris Kobach, the architect of the anti-immigrant laws of states like Arizona and Alabama, hurt him terribly among Hispanic voters in his quest for the White House. Recently, House majority
leader John Boehner has pledged to work with the President and the Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats, to reach a deal on immigration. This would have been
need to fix the immigration system. This bonhomie among GOP leaders and pundits for positive immigration reform may be short lived. Rancor may soon set in, as
House majority leader John Boehner has pledged to work with the President and the Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats, to reach a deal on immigration unthinkable before the election results on Tuesday, November 6 and is like music to the ears of immigration advocates who have been complaining for years about the
it is already happening, with regards to preventing the "fiscal cliff." The country is still divided evenly, and a foreign newspaper, the Times of India, after the 2012
elections, astutely called us "The Divided States of America." We still ardently hope that Congress can bring about comprehensive immigration reform (CIR), which would include an expansion of green card categories and temporary visas, along with the legalization of the 12 million or so undocumented people living here and contributing to the US. In order to prevent a buildup of the undocumented population in the future, reform must also allow for visas that would facilitate future flows of legal workers. Cont’d on page 45
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Obama wins and so does immigration reform Cont’d from page 44
While all this is achievable, and a deal can be struck, it could also come apart if the bottled up enmity between the two parties flares up again. Notwithstanding the likes of Sean Hannity moving over to the side of CIR, there is bound to be rebellion in the rank and file of the Republican Party, which considers CIR anathema. In his stirring victory speech Obama said, "We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag." But Obama still has the ability to deliver his promise to the Hispanics, Asian Americans and others who voted him in and routed Romney in the event that Congress enters into another
stalemate. He has a powerful card up his sleeve, and this is his ability to provide relief through administrative action. Administrative action is not a perfect alternative, as the President does not have the power to
gram, which we have shown can withstand judicial scrutiny. He can expand DACA to a broader group of undocumented immigrants who have lived in the US for say 5 years, and have not been convicted of a felony or three
In his stirring victory speech Obama said, "We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag" give green cards without Congressional authorization. But he does have the power to defer the deportation of large groups of undocumented immigrants, as he did through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) pro-
misdemeanors. As we have shown in our prior blog, Issues Ripe for Rulemaking: Some Modest Proposals, there is no prohibition anywhere that would bar USCIS from allowing the beneficiary of an approved I-140 or I-130 petition to
Immigrant whose family killed faces deportation WICHITA, Kan.: A legal immigrant who claims her family was killed in Mexico following her marijuana bust in Kansas will face deportation proceedings even though a judge ordered her release on charges related to the drug case. Norma Quintana fled the U.S. following the deaths of her relatives, and by doing so skipped her 2010 federal trial for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Her attorney said she and her husband were quickly released following their arrest in that case, and that Quintana believes the owners of the seized drugs assumed that meant the couple was cooperating with authorities and attacked her family in retaliation. Quintana, who has been in custody since she was arrested in April while trying to return to the U.S., was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to failing to appear at the trial. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped the more serious drug charge. However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson told the court that immigration authorities would
immediately arrest Quintana upon her release. Although she is a legal U.S. resident, she can be deported because she has been convicted of an aggravated felony. Her attorney unsuccessfully tried to convince federal officials not to file an immigration detainer,
After the hearing, Anderson said the government agreed to drop the more serious drug charge because of what happened to her family to allow her to be free while fighting her deportation. ``She has been a legal resident here since she was a young child,'' defense attorney Charles O'Hara said. ``But because she didn't show up in court, they want to send her back to Mexico where members of her family were killed and abducted.''
After the hearing, Anderson said the government agreed to drop the more serious drug charge because of what happened to her family. But he said she will still have to face the consequences of the conviction on her immigration case. He said many drug trafficking cases in cases are connected to violent Mexican drug cartels. ``Our fear is that, absent more aggressive enforcement on both sides of the border, it is only a matter of time before this type of violence shows up in the United States,'' Anderson said. Quintana and her husband, Hector Hernandez-Valdez, were initially charged in state court after authorities found 160 pounds of marijuana hidden inside the wheels of the Chevy pickup truck her husband was driving in Pratt County in February 2010, O'Hara said. The couple was quickly released on bond in the state case, and the charges were later dismissed because federal prosecutors had filed their own drug charges a month later. Hernandez-Valdez also never appeared in court. -AP
apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) and advance parole. No action by Congress would be required. This could be done purely by act of regulation or even through a policy memo. For those who want a statutory basis, the USCIS can rely on its parole authority under INA 212(d) (5) to grant such interim benefits for "urgent humanitarian reasons" or "significant public benefit." This we have explained previously in Comprehensive Immigration Reform Through Executive Fiat. Knowing the power of the President to take action on his own, Congress will want to remain relevant and protect its institutional prerogative by enacting legislation so as to avoid creating the opportunity for the exercise of presidential initiative. That is why
Obama might want to enlarge DACA to other groups, not as an alternative to CIR but to make it more likely. If he announces broader initiatives, he can use them as a bargaining chip to withdraw if and when Congress acts. The President remains the First Officer of our Government and, as the Republicans are beginning to realize, the political saliency of the immigration issue can no longer be denied or deferred. By keeping the pressure on through the sustained but disciplined assertion of executive initiative, the President makes it more likely, not less, that CIR will make the bumpy transition from rhetoric to reality. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com
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Fed judge OKs SC law allowing immigration checks COLUMBIA, S.C.: A federal judge has ruled that a South Carolina law allowing police to check people's immigration status can go into effect during a lawsuit but kept in place a ban on other parts of the state's tough new legislation. In a ruling, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said that he would dissolve an earlier ruling that kept the contentious provision from going into effect. But Gergel also noted that both sides in an ongoing lawsuit over the issue will now have time to make further arguments in court. Last year, the federal government and the American Civil Liberties Union sued to challenge the constitutionality of South Carolina's new law, which was modeled on similar legislation in Arizona and considered among the toughest in the country. Some parts of the law went into effect Jan. 1, including a requirement that businesses check new hires' legal status through a federal system. Businesses that knowingly violate the law could have their operating licenses revoked. In December, Gergel put the
lawsuit on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court considered litigation over Arizona's provisions. He also blocked sections of the South Carolina law, including the status check provision and policies that would make it a state crime not to carry immigration paperwork or for illegal immigrants to transport or house themselves. Under the judge's new ruling, Gergel also continued to block the paperwork provision, saying that only the federal government has authority over keeping track of people in the U.S. who aren't citizens. In a statement, South Carolina's top prosecutor claimed victory in the decision to let the status check provision go into effect. ``Giving law enforcement this ability will make our state a better, safer place for all South Carolinians,'' Attorney General Alan Wilson said. Civil liberties groups challenging the law weren't sure if they would appeal Gergel's decision. ACLU attorney Andre Segura said his organization was happy the judge kept some of his prohibitions in place and
Univision working to create immigration archive NEW YORK: The Spanish-language media company Univision and one of its top advertisers are encouraging Hispanics to share their stories about establishing new lives in the United States for an immigrant archive. The Univision network will kick off the effort, called Generacion America, during the telecast of the Latin Grammy Awards. Univision and its affiliated networks will help collect stories from celebrities and average citizens to be part of the Immigrant Archive Project, an independent effort to collect the stories, and show snippets of them on TV. The advertiser Procter & Gamble is helping to fund the effort, although neither company would say how much is being spent. Univision Networks President Cesar Conde said the kickoff was intentionally timed for after Election Day so it wouldn't become a political issue. The election itself, where the Latino community played a key role in President Barack Obama's re-election, may actually help to drive interest in the project, Conde said. ``We're seeing an increased amount of interest by Hispanics and non-Hispanics in the paths that have been taken in the United States,'' he said.
Thirty-two stories have been collected so far. In one, a businesswoman and Mexican immigrant named Mercedes Ruiz talks about how she took an Englishas-a-second-language course and began working as a liaison for the company that offered the courses. Fernando Espuelas, a Univision radio host of Uru-
Fernando Espuelas, a Univision radio host of Uruguayan descent, talks about how people can actively choose to become Americans. guayan descent, talks about how people can actively choose to become Americans. Stories are being collected in both Spanish and English. For Procter & Gamble, makers of Pampers disposable diapers, Gillette razors, Tide laundry detergent and Duracell batteries, among many other products, the incentive is clear: Increasing visibility in the growing Hispanic market is a key to increasing sales. -AP
said monitoring of the law's implementation would continue. ``It's important for everyone to know their constitutional rights,'' Segura said. ``All individuals,
“Arizona is a resounding confirmation of the role of the federal government in immigration,'' he said, noting, however, that the states did get something. ``They get the right to make an inquiry'' about someone's immigration status, he said. even if they lack status, have constitutional rights, and that includes the right to remain silent and the right to ask for a lawyer.'' Detaining motorists
ICE agent settles harassment lawsuit with govt WASHINGTON: A senior agent for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the government have agreed to settle a discrimination lawsuit, according a court record. In a two-sentence notice, a lawyer for ICE Agent James T. Hayes Jr. said the ``parties have come to an agreement in principle'' to settle the case for $175,000. Hayes' attorney in Maryland, Morris Fischer, wrote that along with the money, ``a formal settlement agreement will be executed within the next several days'' that will include other conditions, including Hayes keeping his job. It was not immediately clear who will pay Hayes, who is currently in charge of the agency's New York office. Hayes filed the lawsuit in May and described a ``frat house'' environment at ICE that humiliated male employees under former ICE chief of staff Suzanne Barr. After Hayes' case was filed, additional employees came forward with other allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior toward employees. In one complaint, Barr was accused of calling a male subordinate ``sexy'' and asking a personal question about his anatomy at an office party. -AP
During the hearing, Attorneys also argued over how long motorists may be detained on the roadside while police check their immigration status under South Carolina's new law. The answer seems to be that while 38 minutes may be reasonable, 90 minutes violates 4th Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizures. Gergel asked state Assistant Deputy Attorney General Emory Smith how long a motorist could be detained while his immigration status is checked without violating constitutional protections. He noted the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated that 90 minutes is too long. Smith responded that, in a case heard by the federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, the circuit that includes South Carolina, 38 minutes was found to be reasonable. He said the amount of time would depend on the circumstances but ``we certainly don't dispute what the Supreme Court said.'' ``I'm very concerned if the attorney general gives an opinion that officers can detain people until their status is verified,'' Gergel said, add-
ing that local law enforcement looks to such opinions for guidance in how they should enforce the law. Gergel, who said he would issue a ruling in a few days, said the law was clearly crafted because state lawmakers didn't think the federal government was being aggressive enough in enforcing immigration laws. ``Arizona is a resounding confirmation of the role of the federal government in immigration,'' he said, noting, however, that the states did get something. ``They get the right to make an inquiry'' about someone's immigration status, he said. Gergel said South Carolina has tried to go its own way before when it didn't like what the federal government was doing. He quoted Charlestonian James L. Petigru who famously quipped when South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860 that the state was ``too small to be a republic and too large to be an insane asylum.'' ``We went down that road before,'' he said. ``It didn't work out as well as we had planned.'' -AP
ACLU-NJ files suit over immigration detention NEWARK, N.J.: The government's policy of subjecting immigrants to mandatory detention before they've had an opportunity to show they're not being held on a deportable offense is unlawful, according to a federal lawsuit filed in New Jersey. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the class-action suit in federal court in Trenton on behalf of hundreds of immigrants in detention in New Jersey. ``Mandatory detention really is an outlier across our legal system,'' said Michael Tan, a San Franciscobased attorney with the ACLU's Immigrant Rights Project. ``I'm hard-pressed to see where else in our legal system we lock people up before they're given a hearing to decide if they should be locked up, and spend taxpayer money on their detention, when there are other ways to make sure they will show up for hearings.'' U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez said the agency doesn't comment on pending litigation. ICE has recently instituted a policy of ``prosecutorial discretion'' that directs agents to consider how long someone has been in the country, their ties to communities and whether that person's spouse or children are U.S. citizens.
But immigrant advocates say the current system unduly punishes many immigrants in detention who are low-risk cases, saying they don't need to be locked up to comply with court obligations. The lawsuit is seeking to give immigrants relief from mandatory detention if they have a legitimate argument that they're not being
Immigrant advocates say the current system unduly punishes many immigrants in detention who are low-risk cases detained for a deportable offense and pose no danger or flight risk, Tan said. The suit cites as an example 59year-old Jamaican national Garfield Gayle, a U.S. green card holder who works as a union carpenter in Brooklyn. Gayle has lived in the U.S. for 30 years and has two daughters who are U.S. citizens. He has been in immigration detention in New Jersey for eight months while facing deportation for a decades-old attempted drug sale charge. -AP
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Fri July 20 to Sat Dec 15 • Turning Rumi: Singing Verses of Love, Unity and Freedom Part2 : The Art of Salma Arastu Venue: Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, California Time: 2:30pm to 4:30pm (Artist Reception on Sat Sept 15at Community Gallery, Alemany Library) Contact: 415-482-2453
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Venue: Plainview Old Bethpage, Public Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY 11803 Time: 5:30pm Contact: 516-349-7119 Highlights: Festival Starting with the movie curated by Award winning Producer and Director Mr. Tirlok Malik (Little magician).
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Horoscope
50 India Post
November 30, 2012
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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar
NOVEMBER 30TH to DECEMBER 6TH (March 21 to April 20)
I
n order for you to implement your plans, you will need to confront someone you like very much. Luck is on your side and as a result you will accomplish a lot this week. Journey will be fruitful. No harm in going for a new venture in partnership. You will receive a very interesting phone call. Expenses will stay under controls.
(June 21 to July 22)
Y
ou may have to settle for lot less than what you really deserve. Some one from distance will call to give you some good news. You will travel to a nice area with family to meet few old friends. People on the other side will respond quickly to your mail. Spouse will continue to give good ideas. Bank balance will grow suddenly.
(April 21 to May 20)
Y
ou will not only receive good advice but also get a chance to learn little diplomacy. You will attend an interesting get together and win a small bet too. There will be tension at work but you will continue to stay strong and keep doing your job right. Spouse may feel exhausted and need extra rest. A long distance trip is in the air.
(July 23 to August 22)
P
eople prone to litigations should be careful for next few weeks. Running around will increase and the results will come very slow. It is a favorable week for job seekers as strong planets in sixth can help them achieve their goals. You will meet a very interesting person this week. There will an addition in the family soon.
(May 21 to June 20)
T
ry to deal with issues diplomatically rather than getting frustrated and angry. You will try to stay focused on real issues and try to forget about past incidence. Few issues involving children will get resolved. You will be in touch with a fatherly figure for some advice and encouraging words. Keep an eye on credit cards.
Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com
510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com
(August 23 to September 22)
Y
ou will try to dodge unnecessary stress at work as well at home. You will be working really hard to obtain a new assignment. You may need to use some part of your reserves to meet your commitments. It's not a bad idea to contact the person who was always helpful in the past. You may decide not to go to the party and focus on work. (September 23 to October 22)
P
resence of helpful planets in fifth will bring big relief. Issues stuck for some time and giving big headache will clear and once again everything will start moving in correct direction. You will make few intelligence choices in career. Expenses will come under control finally. You will finish some important paperwork. (October 23 to November 22)
Y
ou will have couple of chance to make some easy money. Expect less pressure at work. Boss will appreciate your work and send a favorable report. You will make new friends and enjoy a small get together this week. It will be a wise idea to get rid of money making stocks. You will hear good news from distant places.
(November 23 to December 22)
T
here will be few positive developments at work. You will be in line for a dream assignment or promotion. An overseas or long distance trip is also in the air. Health issues will continue to bother. Ongoing legal matters will take a favorable turn. You will get a big check from an insurance company in near future. (December 22 to January 19)
I
f you play your cards right and ready to accept the challenges, you will be rolling into big money soon and for a long time thereafter. You may also visit a holy place with family this week. Plans to buy a property for investment purpose will need to be put on hold. Some one who was close in the past will try to come back in life. (January 20 to February 18)
Y
ou are really going to enjoy this week. Choice will be in between opportunity poles apart in benefits and risks. You will have few other reasons to celebrate this week. You will hear from an almost forgotten friend. Some of you will start a new relationship with a wonderful person. Bank balance will shot up suddenly. (February 19 to March 20)
D
o not feel disheartened if things do not happen on time. If you stay focused and have patience, you will accomplish a lot soon. Planets help you make money through stocks. You will get to meet very old friends this week. You will be studying some very useful material. Spouse may feel little exhausted and need extra rest for few days.
November 30, 2012
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Philosophy
November 30, 2012
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Page Sponsored by Sahanis TIMOTHY CONWAY
I
t's crucially important to marvel over a basic miraculous fact: how can Absolute Reality, the unmanifest Source or Capacity for all manifestation, wondrously emanate this dream-like cosmic appearance of "something" out of original No-Thing? And, further, and no less miraculous, how can this phenomenal manifestation, arising out of the purely Unmanifest, Unborn Awareness, include a felt-sense of me and you and all these selves whom we call her and him and them? That is to say, how can there arise out of Single Source-Reality these various distinct viewpoints or persons or sentient beings or souls or "jivas," to use the old Sanskrit word, which each then become more-or-less narrowly associated with a sense of "my body," "my mind," "my self"? These limited personalities are actually appearing and vanishing, appearing and vanishing, moment by moment by moment.... The Supra-personal Source is Real, but these personalities are only "relatively real," that is, they are experientially vivid but not Absolute. As the Buddha declared 2500 years ago, such personality formations are fleeting or impermanent, therefore insubstantial or intrinsically "not real as self," and hence not worth clinging to for any sense of satisfaction or fulfillment or ultiCHUCK HILLIG
W
hen Consciousness pretends that there's a separation between what It says It is (the I), and what It says It isn't (the not-I), then the world mysteriously reappears. But It's not really going anywhere. Remember that the purpose of a song is not to arrive at the final note. The purpose of a song is found in the joyous singing of It. So it is with Consciousness. In other words, It's just singing! Because Its simplicity is absolutely complete and pure, It can only manifest Itself by pretending to be complex. In other words, when the indivisible Consciousness pretends to be divided into parts, It creates an illusory world of polarities. And you already are that very Consciousness, Itself! This "you," (the illusory egoself that you think you are), can never personally experience Its own true, fundamental nature. You can only be what It already is (i.e., It). In other words, you will never be able to get It simply because It already is It! Or, to put It another way, how can you ever arrive at a place where you are already dwelling?
mate meaning. (These are the Buddha's "three marks of existence" - anicca, anatta, dukkha.) One afternoon in Feb., 1971, within several days of returning to my school routine, I felt that my physical energy was really sagging because of the recent illness and lack of exercise. So I went out into our back yard, did some of my usual callisthenic exercises (jumping jacks, running in place, pushups, etc.) for about 10 min-
well-being rooted in a solid sense of unshakable Being, and the most unspeakable Love. This was a formless, shapeless, spiritual affirmation from within. And I instantly felt that "my life" was entirely and irreversibly changed. Everything had just instantly shifted from being "all wrong" to all right, from being "incomplete" to quite complete. It was clearly an awakening from a "2-dimensionally
formless intuitive realization that flooded through as an all-engulfing, all-pervading oceanic bliss-peacelove feeling, to use a common term. "Radiance" might be a better word. In addition to the earthly scenery on display arising within Awareness, there was in fact a subtle vision that appeared very rapidly after this flooding-awakening. The vision, which came from "on high" as I turned a bit to look up to the eastern sky, was subtle
The experience that irreversibly changed 'my life'
Timothy Conway
And suddenly this life of "mine," without having done any spiritual practices or questing or anything, was just opened wide and drenched with a shower of pure, powerful grace
utes or so, and then I just stood for a while gazing out over the busy valley below and out to the distant mountains and especially up into that blue sky - as blue as it could be for a Los Angeles day. And suddenly this life of "mine," without having done any spiritual practices or questing or anything, was just opened wide and drenched with a shower of pure, powerful grace. It literally felt like the "me" was instantly replaced by an overflowing surge of unearthly blissful joy and radiant good cheer, extreme
flat" type of intolerably mediocre existence into an unbelievably rich, deep sense of full aliveness. At this point it was entirely clear to me that we are made of God's Love, Joy, Peace, Holiness, and Power. We are nothing in ourselves, but as appearing, feeling persons we are sourced in and entirely composed of the Divine Supra-Person, the Divine Being. This was no mere concept, but the most vivid Reality I had yet experienced to that date. This was primarily a nondual,
and ethereal, not occluding my vision of the neighbor's high fence and shrubbery. There was a tangible visual sense of all our gorgeous spiritual friends and guides in the Light, our guardian angels, kindly ancestors, the ever-blessing saints and sages, Mother Mary and Jesus, all of them intermediaries of Grace from the infinite Divine Source, all just showering down Grace for whomever might be open to this Grace. Timothy Conway teaches spirituality at California colleges
Believing that you're not really there, however, provides the cosmic momentum for It to, seemingly, go out looking for Itself. It's this purposeful misidentification that sets the entire drama of your life into (e)motion. You can't use It (this philosophy) in everyday life because, actually, It will only be using you. At one level, though, you can stay
Yes! your default position in life. Don't reject anything, not even your own rejections! Remember, however, that you, (the historical ego-self) are only pretending that you're able to manipulate or control It. Consciousness will always get Its own way in the end, simply because, no matter where you think your egoself is going, It is already there,
you think you are is only one of the many parts that It is pretending to have. So whatever is in your experience at this very instant is absolutely all of It. There's really nothing and nowhere else. Or, to put it another way, through Its own I's (your I's), It sees 100 percent of Itself, 100 percent of the time. None of It is ever miss-
Ego-self can never experience Its own true nature The purpose of a song is not to arrive at the final note. The purpose of a song is found in the joyous singing of It. So it is with Consciousness. In other words, It's just singing! Chuck Hillig
more aligned with It by consciously choosing exactly what It appears to be choosing for you. In other words, practice saying a resounding Yes! to whatever shows up for you. And, even when you feel like saying no, then just say yes to the fact that, at least for that moment, you're saying no. It's best, though, to always make
waiting for you. By definition, there can't be some of It here and then some more of It around the corner, too. That would be implying that It could, somehow, be divided from Itself. But, if It's absolutely simple and complete, then It can't really have any parts at all. It can only pretend to have parts. The you that
ing simply because none of It can ever be left out. The idea of God doesn't come into It at all. God actually comes out of It. It is simply the ego's attempt to give a more formal name to the unnamable. Chuck Hillig is a modern spiritual teacher, author and licensed psychotherapist
Nothing whatsoever is achieved in spiritual life without yearning. By constant living in the company of holy men, the soul becomes restless for God. - Sr Ramakrishna On the destruction of a jar, the space therein unites with all space. In myself and Shiva I see no difference when the mind is purified. - Avadhuta Gita Stop talking and thinking, And there is nothing You will not be able to know. - Sosan You don't throw off your burdens even when you go to bed; you are busy with illusions. - Yakusan In all things under heaven the female overcomes the male by her stillness, and because she is still she lies below. - Lao Tzu Meditation is to understand every thought that comes into being, and not to dwell upon one particular thought; it is to invite all thoughts so that you understand the whole process of thinking. - J. Krishnamurti
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Fragile cities: Karachi & Detroit LIDIA LEONI
T
he definition of the concept of "Fragile City" encounters certain challenges. Just as the term "Fragile State", "Fragile City" lacks an authoritative and commonly accepted definition and terminology. Contrary to "Fragile State", however, its relative novelty makes it largely undertheorised. Despite this general lack of consensus on what a fragile city is, a path can be recognized in the stress allocated to the functional role of the city as the central space for economic, political and social development of a country, and of both the local and central governments as providers of the basic services necessary for the fulfillment of this role.
Karachi
Yet, while some definitions look at fragile cities primarily within the framework of fragile states and developing countries - even as a mirror for state fragility itself - others see the phenomenon in broader terms and associate it to urban conditions present in both the developing and developed world. Nevertheless, some general characteristics can be drawn. These are a lack of security and high crime rates. Violence can develop on different grounds, but it usually has a group-related character. Economic downturn, as a result of both internal and external factors, can also be connected to a precarious security situation. In a fragile city, moreover, inefficient management or a lack of funds available with the local or central administration, challenges an effective deliverance of public services. Two Case Studies Pakistan has become a standard bearer of the term "Fragile State" in recent years, and its eco-
nomic capital and largest city, Karachi, seems to reflect this development. The city's main issue is the spread of ethnic violence, especially between the Mohajirs, the descendants of the immigrants from Northern India, and Pathans. At the same time, it is not immune to a growing influence of organized crime and to other forms of group grievances such as religious violence. While group-related violence is the main impediment to Karachi's stability, the city has increasingly been experiencing problems with the effective deliverance of public services and an ill-managed population overload. This has prompted the creation
Detroit
of slums plagued with problems of lawlessness and inadequate living conditions. The city's development has been largely uneven. Karachi is home to some of the country's richest, while parts of its population live in extremely poor and unsustainable conditions. The general imbalance additionally, threatens the city's economic performance, which is central to Pakistan's economy itself. The US, as the world's largest economy, is usually not associated with fragile conditions. Yet Detroit, once the heart of the American automobile industry, significantly bears the characteristics associated with those of a fragile city. The downturn of the automobile industry and the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs have shrunk the size of the city, which went from nearly two millions to less then one million, while entire areas of the city lie abandoned and are "returning to the prairie".
Poorer areas of the city are characterized by a high crime rate - Detroit constantly figures among the most dangerous cities in the US. The uneven development of the city happened along ethnic lines, with the Caucasian population living in better-off suburbs and the minorities, especially African-Americans, in poorer neighborhoods. While the unemployment rate is not the highest of all American cities, it generally doubles the national average. The near-bankruptcy experienced in recent years has caused a progressive erosion of public services such as illumination and transportation, especially in poorer areas. The Need for a Definition The term "Fragile City" is yet to find a universally accepted definition. Nevertheless, it can be characterized as an urban space where high rates of crime, economic downturn linked to both internal and external factors and, a lack of control by the local and central administrations on different grounds persist resulting in a difficult security situation. These general conditions as well as poor management by the city's administration, make for a highly erratic and corroded system of deliverance of public services. While a majority of cities that would qualify as fragile are located in developing countries, the phenomenon is not limited to the so-called "Global South", but is also visible in some cities in developed countries, as projected by the case of Detroit. While the situation in Detroit may not reach the critical levels of a city in an unstable country, as in the case of Karachi, it still bears characteristics of a fragile city. When put in the context of cities in the so-called "Global North", moreover, Detroit gives ample reasons for concern. The capacity of fragile cities as a phenomenon, to span across regions and countries worldwide, and the central role that urban spaces play in both developing and developed countries, make these a critical issue in need of universal recognition in order to safeguard cities against fragile conditions. At the same time, it could also be a fruitful starting point for academics to look beyond the traditional identification of fragility as a staterelated problem. The writer is former Research Intern, IPCS
India & Myanmar
M
yanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi admits the strong influence that Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru had on her life and her views. Considering also that she had most of her higher education in India and had close friends here, this country should have been among the first she would have visited after her release from incarceration. But that did not happen, as she frankly disclosed during her Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture, because she was saddened that India was drawn away from her country in its "most difficult days." The National League for Democracy leader, who was under house arrest for over 15 years, was referring to the period when India established diplomatic relations with the military junta in the 1990s. Initially India had supported the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. The reasons for India reaching out to the Generals in Myanmar was that India was being isolated in that country and China meanwhile, which had no compunction in dealing with dictators, went on strengthening its influence in the resource rich country. In the absence of any contact with the rulers in that country, India found it had no way to influence events in that country. It was India's move to start talking to the Generals that encouraged the US also to reach out with an olive branch, suggesting that the sanctions could be diluted if the generals start loosening the authoritarian control and introducing reforms. It was the opening provided by such carrot and stick policy that persuaded the Generals to let Suu Kyi and her party participate in by-elections most of which they won and by virtue of which she is now in Parliament. Would that have happened had India continued it's hardline of not engaging with the Generals? The Generals have also indicated at some point that they would prefer dealing with India than with China. It has also given them an alternative to bargain with the Chinese which position they did not have earlier. India's balancing act therefore is an exercise in expediency. It does not mean that India has lost its enthusiasm for the democracy leader and her struggle. The visit of President Obama to Myanmar is also proof that this policy is succeeding. However, as Suu Kyi also said, the struggle for democracy in Myanmar is far from over. And she made the distinction between the support of governments and support of the people to achieve that goal. She emphasized that friendship between countries should be based on "friendship between people and not friendship between governments. Governments come and go, but, people remain." She expressed the hope that "in this last battle, the people of India will stand by us and walk by the path they were able to proceed many years before." Suu Kyi has already visited Norway, where she belatedly accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. She has also visited Britain and had a meeting with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she was in the US. She explained there that democracy in Myanmar is not going to follow the example of the US or any other country but it would learn from all the functioning democracies. Ultimately it will have its own kind of democracy. But the closest perhaps she feels is to the neighboring Indian democracy which is tending to be anarchical but represents the freely expressed views of different people. India can definitely play a role in Myanmar as a counselor to both the military junta and democracy leaders to bring about a consensus on how to return power to the real representatives of the people and put an end to human rights violations there. India also needs to facilitate the rehabilitation of the many Myanmar refugee leaders in India and make it possible for them to be with their people in their struggle for democracy.
November 30, 2012
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56 India Post
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November 30, 2012