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Advani wins World Billiards Championship Details on page 6

Dev Patel earns Golden Globe nomination Details on page 6

India world's fourth defense spender

VOL 22, No. 1159

December 16, 2016

50¢

Periodical Postage

W.B. HALTS INDUS TREATY MEDIATION India, Pak told to explore alternatives

WASHINGTON: In a significant development, the World Bank has paused the separate processes initiated

by India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty to allow the two countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements.

"We are announcing this pause to protect the Indus Waters Treaty and to help India and Pakistan consider alternative approaches to resolving conflicting interests under the Treaty and its application to two hydroelectric power

plants," World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said.

The pause was announced by Kim in letters to the finance ministers of India and Pakistan. It was also emphasized that the Bank was acting to safeguard the Treaty.

Pausing the process for now, the Bank would hold off from appointing the Chairman for the Court of Arbitration or the Neutral Expert - appointments that had been expected on December 12 as earlier communicated by the Bank.

Details on page 5

Candlelight vigil pays tribute to Jayalalitha Details on page 17

2 Indians in richest under 40 US list Details on page 8

UK minister praises Modi for demonetization Details on page 8

500-kg Egyptian woman to visit India for surgery

Details on page 6

14th PBD in Bengaluru from January 7

Details on page 6

CONTENTS

Details on page 8

Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 52

INDIA POST SURVEY

Community Post -------------- 16-26

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Edit Page --------------------------- 54

This week’s question

HealthScience Post --------- 44-47

Date Book -------------------------- 39

Horoscope ------------------------- 48

Has Modi’s demonetization exercise been successful?

Last week’s result

Was Jayalalitha the tallest among CMs? YES 67%

NO 33%

Immigration Post ------------- 12-15 Life Style ----------------------- 30-33

NEW ACCOLADE: Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra who has created waves with her stint in the American drama series "Quantico", has earned a new accolade by being nominated as UNICEF's Global Goodwill Ambassador. Here she is seen with other UNICEF ambassadors (from left) actor Orlando Bloom, singer Angelique Kidjo and former professional soccer player David Beckham at UNICEFs 70th anniversary gala on December 12 at United Nations headquarters.

(Details on page 5)

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 50-51 TechBiz Post ------------------- 34-38 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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or all practical purposes I am a liberal. But every time the pundits of political correctness come up with one more established thing in either word or deed or thought, as being offensive to some minority group, I find it, to put it most politely, irritating.

In the post-modern world the largely civilized society has gradually modulated its language with reference to most minorities, the handicapped, women, ethnicities, to individuals working in low level or menial jobs, to people of varying sexual orientation, religious dogmas, and not to forget those with different physical attributes.

Under peer pressure some years ago one buckled to the dictates of overzealous liberal Americans who deemed it offensive to the minorities in this country to say 'Merry Christmas', and changed the festive greeting to 'Happy Holidays'. Hey, if one can say 'Happy Diwali' or 'Eid Mubarak', why can't one say 'Merry Christmas', right? Anyway, I didn't dwell on it much until now, because it feels ridiculous the way ardent Trump supporters are "reclaiming" their right to say Merry Christmas in their new found "freedom" from the PC police of the liberal regime.

Like we don't already have enough things to worry about, academic institutions continue to push these PCisms even as we speak. Apparently, Oxford University has now asked its students to use 'ze' instead of he or she so as to bring about gender neutralization. The idea, they say, is not to offend transgendered individuals. What? I mean, really?

While there is no denying that a lot of our social behaviors have been conditioned by privileged patriarchal beliefs, if not whims, one cannot say that changing language alone can sensitize the majority towards minorities in any given category.

In fact, it is counter-productive when one is forced to adapt so as not to be seen as being intolerant or less intellectual. Somehow, in the Western context, these sensitivity pronouncements have come to be seen as liberal condescension against conservative beliefs.

As for me, I don't care if I have to say "Happy Holidays", but on being referred to as a 'ze", I think I draw the line.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@gmail.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Sexiest Asian Deepika Padukone has been named the sexiest Asian woman in the world for the first time.

Cover Story: Indus Treaty The World Bank has paused its mediation initiated by India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty

Community: Chhatisgarh delegation A business jaunt led by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh to Chicago has turned out to be a success.

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Immigration: No 'sanctuary' The University of Illinois will not label its three campuses as sanctuaries for immigrant students

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WB halts Indus Treaty mediation India, Pak told to explore alternatives WASHINGTON: In a significant development, the World Bank has paused the separate processes initiated by India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters

proaches to resolving conflicting interests under the Treaty and its application to two hydroelectric power plants," World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said.

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim

Treaty to allow the two countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements.

"We are announcing this pause to protect the Indus Waters Treaty and to help India and Pakistan consider alternative ap-

The pause was announced by Kim in letters to the finance ministers of India and Pakistan. It was also emphasized that the Bank was acting to safeguard the Treaty.

Pausing the process for now, the Bank would hold off from ap-

pointing the Chairman for the Court of Arbitration or the Neutral Expert - appointments that had been expected on December 12 as earlier communicated by the Bank.

India had taken strong exception last month to the World Bank's decision to set up a Court of Arbitration and appoint a Neutral Expert to go into Pakistan's complaint against it over Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Surprised at the World Bank's decision to appoint a Neutral Expert, as sought by the Indian government and at the same time establish a Court of Arbitration as wanted by Pakistan, India had said proceeding with both the steps simultaneously was "legally untenable".

Both processes initiated by the respective countries were advancing at the same time, creating a risk of contradictory outcomes that could potentially endanger the Treaty, the Bank noted.

"This is an opportunity for the two countries to begin to resolve the issue in an amicable manner and in line with the spirit of the treaty rather than pursuing concurrent processes that could make

the treaty unworkable over time. I would hope that the two countries will come to an agreement by the end of January," Kim said.

The current processes under the treaty concern the Kishenganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric power plants. The power plants are being built by India on, respectively, the Kishenganga

and it is "responding in its limited, procedural role as set out in the treaty".

"India and Pakistan have informed the World Bank that each has initiated proceedings pursuant to the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 and the World Bank Group is responding in its limited, procedural role as set out in the Treaty," it had said.

"India and Pakistan have informed the World Bank that each has initiated proceedings pursuant to the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 and the World Bank Group is responding in its limited, procedural role as set out in the Treaty," it had said and Chenab Rivers.

Neither of the two plants are being financed by the World Bank.

The bank said the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, is seen as one of the most successful international treaties and has withstood frequent tensions between India and Pakistan, including conflict.

In September, the World Bank, which had mediated the Indus Water Treaty, had said it was approached by India and Pakistan

The Treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers, known as the Permanent Indus Commission which includes a commissioner from each of the two countries.

It also sets out a process for resolving so-called "questions", "differences" and "disputes" that may arise between the parties.PTI

Priyanka is UNICEF's Global Goodwill Ambassador UNITED NATIONS: Actress Priyanka Chopra, appointed as UNICEF's newest global Goodwill Ambassador, has urged people from across nations to become the "collective voice" of oppressed children in the world and join forces to leave a better future for the coming generations.

Footballer David Beckham and 12-year-old British actress Millie Bobby Brown announced Chopra's appointment as UNICEF's newest global Goodwill Ambassador at a star-studded celebration here to commemorate 70 years of the world body's children's agency.

"My wish for children is freedom. The freedom to think, the freedom to live," Chopra said, addressing top UN diplomats, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors and children at the event.

She said while man has made unprecedented advancements in every sphere of life, children across the world remain unprotected from violence, abuse and

exploitation.

"I, we ask you to join us today to become the collective voice of the oppressed children across the world in our fight against the injustices that they have to endure everyday," she said.

Chopra lauded decades of ef-

erations to come," Chopra said.

The "Quantico" star was joined by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Ishmael Beah, Beckham, actors Orlando Bloom and Jackie Chan at the event that celebrated UNICEF's 70 years of work for children.

"Thank you David Beckham and Millie Bobby Brown for inducting me into the UNICEF global family. Always delighted to meet like-minded people who believe that there is humanity left inside in us after all," she tweeted. forts by UNICEF on shining the light on children and bringing awareness that "we are seriously endangering our future, which is our children. "...Let's choose humanity, let's choose to act now, let's choose to fight now and let's choose to ensure a better world for our children, their children and the gen-

Chopra said her involvement with UNICEF began almost 10 years ago in India and she was "humbled, enriched and committed" as she takes on her new role of the agency's global Goodwill Ambassador.

"Along this decade old journey, with UNICEF, I have been on many field trips to villages and

centers across India. On those trips, I spent time with numerous young girls and their families and experienced firsthand the transformative power of empowering young girls with opportunities that are rightfully theirs.

"Together, with my fellow, dedicated ambassadors, I am now proud to stand with UNICEF to help build a world where children's rights are respected and protected," she said.

Celebrating Chopra's appointment, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said, "Priyanka Chopra is already a champion for India's children - and as a UNICEF global Goodwill Ambassador, she will be a force for children and adolescents everywhere."

The anniversary celebration, which was led by the next generation of young celebrities and other young people, demonstrated the impact of UNICEF's work over seven decades to protect the rights of the world"s most vulnerable children.

"This celebration of UNICEF's 70th anniversary belongs to those for whom UNICEF was created in the first place: children. And it also belongs to the thousands of UNICEF staff and our partners whose work in some of the world's most dangerous and difficult places has touched the lives of millions of children.

What can be more important?"

Lake said.

Bloom conducted an onstage discussion with child refugee Mustafa Al Said, who fled conflict in his native Syria and now lives in Germany.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ishmael Beah spoke about his experience as a child soldier in Sierra Leone and his work advocating against the recruitment of children into armed groups. The Bajirao Mastani" star later thanked Beckham and Brown for welcoming her into the UNICEF's international family. -PTI

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Advani wins World Billiards Dev Patel earns Golden Globe nomination Championship BENGALURU: Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani has won his 11th World Billiards (150-Up format) Championships title by beating Peter Gilchrist of Singapore in the summit clash here.

ing Myanmar's Aung Htay in the semifinals in the morning, Advani scripted a convincing victory over his Singapore-based British opponent.

The Indian champion beat

Cueist player Pankaj Advani poses with the trophy after winning against Peter Gilchrist of Singapore during the World Billiards championship 150-Up finale 2016 at Karnataka state Billiards Association in Bengaluru on Dec 12

Advani beat multiple world champion Gilchrist by six games to three in a gripping final contest to wrap up his 16th world title overall.

Coming into the finals with right frame of mind after defeat-

Gilchrist 151 (98)-33, 150 (97)-95, 124-150, 101 (98)-150 (89), 150 (87)50, 152-37, 86 (86)-150, 151 (110)104, 150 (88)-15.

In contrast to his semifinal match, where he posted century break points in all the games,

Advani was satisfied with going for short break points to put pressure on his rival.

Advani posted his only century break of 110 in the eighth game of the match, which almost dashed the hopes of Gilchrist to win the title as he trailed 3-5 against the Indian cueist.

Advani began on a strong note by pocketing the first two games, 150 points against 33 and 150 against 95.

However, Gilchrist bounced back in the next two games by winning 150 points against 124 and 150 against 101, after he engineered 112 and 89 break points in third and fourth games.

The 79-break point in the sixth game helped Advani to take a 4-2 lead over his opponent, but could not sustain it as he lost the seventh game after Gilchrist broke twice with 86 and 53 break points.

Eighth and ninth games belonged to Advani, especially the final one, as he shattered the hopes of Gilchrist by posting a thumping 150 against 15 points, and laid claim to his eleventh world billiards championship.

Earlier, Advani had beaten Htay 5-0 in the morning to storm into the finals while Gilchrist defeated India's Dhvaj Haria 5-1 in another semi-final. -PTI

500-kg Egyptian woman to visit India for surgery CAIRO: A 36-year-old bedbound Egyptian woman, weighing about 500 kg and believed to the world's heaviest, will soon leave for India for a weight-reduction surgery after a top Indian surgeon offered her help, her sister said here.

Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty's is preparing herself to be flown to Mumbai in the next 10 days, her sister Shaymaa told PTI. Eman's story had gone viral on the social media and many news outlets published about her condition. She has barely left her bedroom in nearly 25 years, according to her family.

"There are very few facilities for a case like Eman's in Egypt. I've got many promises, but all of them were not true.

There is no even one well-

equipped bed in a hospital which she can lay on," Shaymaa said.

After knowing about her con-

dition, Mumbai-based bariatric surgeon Muffazal Lakdawala reached her and offered his help.

He even set up a fundraiser to

fly Eman to India.

Lakdawala reached Eman's family through his Egyptian friend and doctor Diaa elBehairy.

"I had put up several posts about Eman on social media and attached my mobile number for anyone who wanted to help. That's how Dr Diaa succeeded in reaching us," said Shaymaa.

She said desperate pleas to the Egyptian presidency, armed forces, and the Governor of Alexandria, where she lives, did not yield satisfactory results.

"They sent me a number of doctors," Shaymaa said adding that the doctors said they can't operate as Eman won't be able to bear the surgery.

Cont’d on page 8

LOS ANGELES: Indian-origin actor Dev Patel has been nominated for the best supporting actor category at Golden Globe awards for his critically applauded turn as Saroo Brierley in "Lion".

The 26-year-old actor, who shot to fame with 2008 hit "Slumdog Millionaire", has earned his first Golden Globe nod for his role in Garth Davis-directed drama, also starring Nicole Kidman.

The movie is based on the true story of Brierley, a young Indian boy who gets separated from his brother and mother when he ends up 1,000 miles away from his home, lost at a train station in Kolkata.

He gets adopted by an Australian family but eventually tracks down his lost family in India via Google maps years later.

Patel will be pitted against Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water), Simon Helberg, (Florence Foster Jenkins) and Aaron Taylor Johnson (Nocturnal Animals).

Apart from Patel's nomination

"Lion" has earned three more nods.

While Kidman is nominated in best performance by an actress in

a supporting role - motion picture category, the movie has also earned best motion picture drama and best original score - motion picture nomination. -PTI

India world's fourth defense spender LONDON: India is among the that Indian spending will rise from world's top five defense spend- USD 38 billion in 2010 to USD 64 ers with its military budget at USD billion in 2020.

50.7 billion, overtaking Saudi "Procurement spending has Arabia and Russia, according to been constrained in India over the a new report released here. last three years as personnel costs The US, China and the UK re- have increased. main the top three defense spendHowever, what we expect to ers while India has the fourth larg- see from 2017 onwards is a miliest military budget, followed by tary focused on modernization.

Saudi Arabia and Russia, accord- India needs new equipment to fuling to the '2016 Jane's Defense fill its modernization drive. Over Budgets Report , released by research firm The report said that India is IHS Markit.

India spent USD 50.7 set to overtake Britain with billion this year on defense, up from USD 46.6 the third-largest defense billion last year.

The report said that budget by 2018 as a result India is set to overtake of its modernization drive Britain with the thirdlargest defense budget by 2018 as a result of its modern- the next three years, India will reization drive. emerge as a key growth market for The US remained way ahead of defense suppliers," said Craig the world with a budget of USD Caffrey, principal analyst for Asia622 billion, followed by China at Pacific at 'IHS Janes'.

USD 191.7 billion while the UK The worldwide outlook shows spent USD 53.8 billion on defense that global defense spending rose this year, Saudi Arabia USD 48.68 by 1 per cent to USD 1.6 trillion this billion and Russia USD 48.44 bil- year, against 0.6 per cent in 2015. lion.

This rise has been attributed largely After three years of budgetary to strategic threats posed by Rusconstraints, the definitive UK- sia and the Islamic State terror based defense magazine forecasts group in the Middle East.-PTI

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2 Indians in richest under 40 list NEW YORK: Two Indian-origin men have figured in Forbes magazine's second annual list of wealthiest entrepreneurs under the age of 40 which is topped by Facebook founder Mark

Vivek Ramaswamy

Zuckeberg.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a successful biotech entrepreneur has been ranked 24th on 'America's Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40 2016' list with a net worth of 600 million dollars and Apoorva Mehta stands at 31st spot with a 360 million dollars net worth.

Ramaswamy, 31, a Harvard University and Yale School of Management alumnus, continues

of 2016, Myovant Sciences, which raised USD 218 million listing its shares on Nasdaq in October, it said.

Last year, Ramaswamy pulled off the biggest IPO in the US biotech history by listing shares of Axovant, a company that is trying to develop a new Alzheimer's drug.

He runs Roivant Sciences, a biotech holding company with an innovative financial strategy to develop drugs, often by purchasing drugs that have been forgotten or abandoned by the pharmaceutical industry.

Forbes called Mehta one of Silicon Valley's youngest immigrant success stories.

Born in India, Mehta and his family moved to Canada in 2000, where he studied engineering at the University of Waterloo before working at Blackberry, Qualcomm, and then Amazon. In 2012, he cofounded Instacart, a grocery delivery service that partners with grocery chains.

Customers can order groceries through a mobile app, and pay fees of typically under USD 10 to get deliveries in an hour or two from Instacart contractors. The

Vivek Ramaswamy, a successful biotech entrepreneur has been ranked 24th on 'America's Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40 2016' list with a net worth of 600 million dollars and Apoorva Mehta stands at 31st spot with a 360 million dollars net worth to make waves in the biotech business with his deals and drug development plans, Forbes said.

He was behind the biggest biotechnology initial public offering

company is valued at an estimated USD 2 billion, and most recently raised funding from Whole Foods Market in March 2016, it said.

The list has been topped by

Zuckerberg, whose Facebook shares and net worth soared to new heights. He is now worth USD 50 billion, up USD 2.9 billion from a year ago.

Newcomers to the 2016 ranks include NBA stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James and boxer Floyd Mayweather as well as pop star Beyonce and actress-turned-consumer products marketer Jessica Alba. The last two are the only women among the top 40 under 40.

Apoorva Mehta

All five of these superstars have net worths that range from USD 275 million to USD 350 million, Forbes said.

The richest under 40 newcomer is Bryan Sheffield, who has struck it rich in the Texas oil patch.

Sheffield is worth USD 1.45 billion. Another new billionaire is Kevin Systrom, cofounder of photo-sharing app Instagram.

To be eligible for the list, individuals had to be under the age of 40 as of December 12. These entrepreneurs also have to reside in the US and substantially have made their own fortunes in this country, Forbes said. -PTI

14th PBD in Bengaluru from Jan 7 India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will organize the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) from January 7-9, 2017 in Bengaluru, Kranataka, India. It will be inaugurated

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 8. The President of India will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and also confer the Pravasi

Bhartiya Samman Awards. The pre-conference seminars will also be organized on January 7 followed by plenary and panels ses-

sions beginning on January 8.

PBD has become a significant forum to connect the overseas Indians from all over the world and

PBD-2017 will be focusing on more connectivity with overseas Indians with the theme "Redefining Engagement with Indian Diaspora." Karnataka will be the Partner State of the 14th PBD, which would provide the Diaspora an opportunity to understand the vibrant culture as well as the business and investment potential of the State.

More than 2000 delegates are expected to participate in PBD-2017 from all over the world.

UK minister praises Modi for demonetization LONDON: Britain's seniormost Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the demonetization move, saying it is a right step to curb black money and sends a "strong message" to the whole world against illegal deals and trade.

"It (demonetization) is a right step to tackle the root causes of corruption. Too much black money is circulating in the world which funds terrorism and illegal trade. Prime Minister Modi should be commended for a strong message to the whole world that the era of illegal deals and trade is over," the UK's international development minister said.

A key member of British Prime Minister Theresa May's Cabinet, Patel has often spoken out in favor of Modi's initiatives and the need for the UK to support his efforts.

Before a recent visit to India, she had said: "Prime Minister Modi's vision for India has been phenomenal. He has transformed India's reputation internationally in a very strong way, showing that India is not just a rising country but it is dynamic, innovative and out there to attract the brightest and best when it comes to overseas businesses, skills and

Priti Patel

capacity building."

"We have always been clear about the strength of the relationship; I have said on numerous occasions that we stand shoulder to shoulder with India. We have so many natural ties and synergies," she said. -PTI

500-kg Egyptian woman to visit India for surgery Cont’d from page 6

sisters, only the youngest is married. I can't live a normal life as I have to devote all my time to help Eman."

Shaymaa thanks Lakdawala for helping the family.

"Eman's case needs a huge amount of money," she said. "I'm very grateful to Dr Muffazal for

Eman suffers from thyroid condition since childhood. She weighed about 5 kg at birth, and by 11 she had stopped going to school due to her weight, her sister said.

"As she gained weight, Eman began to crawl on her knees.

But her situation has "Eman's case needs a huge worsened in past 25 amount of money," she years," she said.

Eman suffers from said. "I'm very grateful to Dr thrombosis - the formation of a blood clot in- Muffazal for offering to fly side a blood vessel, ob- Eman to India on a private structing the flow of blood through the cir- medical plane,� culatory system - and offering to fly Eman to India on a she can't even speak.

Eman is cared for by her mother private medical plane," she said. and sister. Shaymaa, a fine art enThe procedural roadblocks for gineer who had to give up her job her treatment were cleared after because of her sister's health con- External Affairs Minister Sushma dition, said the family's life has Swaraj's intervention. been badly hit as they had to take "Dr Muffazal had urged minister Swaraj on twitter to facilitate care of Eman "like a child".

"We have to do everything for Eman's visa procedures, and she her," said Shaymaa. "We are three helped us," Shaymaa said. -PTI

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GOPIO Europe convention held in Paris India Post News Service

PARIS, France: GOPIO Europe chapter organized its Europe convention in Paris from 10th to 13th November.

The Convention started with welcoming delegates, special dinner at the Indian restaurant in Champs Elysees, Paris and 'Discover LIDO' show thereafter.

Panel discussions on various issues around the world by ex-

Purohit, GOPIO Global Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO Exce. VP Noel Lal, GOPIO International Coordinator for Europe Dr. Pradip Sewoke and Convention Convener Mehan Poinoosamy delivered speeches at the function.

A documentary film 'Mademoiselle France Pleure' about Soldiers who were martyred in World War I, directed by Mr. Vijay Singh, was shown at the program just after

Diaspora's technology and professionals as well as the investment resources. Discussions on many important issues and topics of common interest were also carried out to gather more information in various fields.

As part of the program, a visit to the World War I memorial in Neuve Chapelle (North of France) had been arranged to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who were martyred in France. Mayor of

GOPIO to launch Chamber of Commerce in Mumbai India Post News Service

MUMBAI: GOPIO's General body has adopted a constitutional amendment to launch GOPIO International Chamber of Commerce (GICC). It will be a worldwide body working within the GOPIO organization. The new Executive Council is business oriented and keenly interested to connect with businesses with India and across the world. The new chamber GICC will focus on some of Indian Prime Minister's initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India and Digital India. With its 80 chapters in 30 countries, name recognition and with its extensive level of contacts, GOPIO hopes

to grow this new chamber as a globally networked business promotion group.

The new chamber of commerce will be launched at Garware Club in Mumbai on January 10 at 5 p.m. GOPIO's advisor Raj Purohit MLA is the chairman of GICC Launch Committee. Many dignitaries from Mumbai including several political leaders and head of corporate houses will participate.

For participation, contact gopio@optonline.net.

Bengaluru Convention GOPIO will have its General Body Meeting and Convention inauguration on in Bengaluru on January 5 and a full day conference on January 6.

Renovated Gobindgarh Fort dedicated to public

Indian Ambassador Dr. Mohan Kumar speaking at the Inaugural function. Seated L to R Convention Convener Mehan Poinoosamy, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Convention Chairman Dr. Pradip Sewoke, Dr. Sathyapal Singh MP, Raj Purohit MLA, GOPIO Exec. VP Noel Lal

perts, cultural programs, educational visits, get-togethers, award ceremony, book release, general body meeting etc. were arranged as part of the convention. GOPIO members from USA, Australia, South Africa, Mauritius, Austria and UK actively participated in the Europe summit that lasted four days.

Official inauguration of the

the convention inauguration.

With India at the threshold of accepting new technologies and business investment, the new team has come up with a motto, 'GOPIO Means Business'. This move would focus on attracting the entrepreneurs and businessmen among the Indian Diaspora to take more interest in investing in India in all spheres ranging from

With India at the threshold of accepting new technologies and business investment, the new team has come up with a motto, 'GOPIO Means Business'. This move would focus on attracting the entrepreneurs and businessmen among the Indian Diaspora convention took place on 11th evening by Indian Ambassador Dr.Mohan Kumar. The ambassador urged all the GOPIO members to concentrate on charity activities in India. He said that GOPIO is a mature entity now and it is high time that we help our motherland in every possible way. Indian Parliament member Dr. Satyajeeth Singh, Maharashtra assembly Chief Whip Raj K

business, philanthropy, education, healthcare and social causes.

There was active participation of eminent writers and artists in this convention.

The European Biennial Summit is one of the pivotal events in the global GOPIO program calendar.

The theme of this summit, 'Indiaspora, Opportunities beyond Frontiers', conveyed GOPIO's thrust to mobilize

Neuve Chapelle Roland Lieven, Mayor of Veile Chapelle JeanMichel Desse, Mayor of La Couture Raymond Gaquere, Mayor of Laventie Jean Phillipe Boonaert and Mayor of Lorgies Mme AnneMarie Lefebvre had attended the program.

At the site of Neuve Chapelle (Richebourg), there now stands a memorial garden, circled by domed pavilions and towering columns. It now forms a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of the soldiers of Indian origin, our forefathers.

Welcoming the guests to Paris, Convention Chairman Dr. Pradip Sewoke told the GOPIO members that the aim of the convention is to unite the whole Indian Diaspora in Europe and urged them to work together for a brighter future and that we are in dire need to open more GOPIO chapters and add life members in Europe so as to have a 'Strong United European GOPIO'.

He added that it was essential to strengthen our efforts in the area of youth development, science and technology, women empowerment, charity activities, medical facilities, literary activities, business opportunities, etc.

AMRITSAR: The historic Gobindgarh fort has been dedicated to the public by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal post culmination of first phase of renovation.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Sukhbir said 'Guru Ki Nagri' Amritsar would be developed as the hub of tourism and the tourists would now make a stopover for 3-4 days instead of one as they used to do earlier.

He said that all the projects initiated in Amritsar have been completed. He said the Golden Temple Plaza outside Sri Darbar Sahib has been completed and 3 theaters have been constructed in its base-

as Gobindgarh by Maharaja Ranjit Singh after 10th Sikh Guru-Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Maharaja gave a whole new look to the fort with the assistance of French and other military experts. It is said that the famous Zamzama cannon and Kohinoor diamond were also kept in the fort.

The fort spread in 44 acres was illuminated for the occasion.

Bollywood stars Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, Manisha Koirala, Divya Dutta, Arya Babbar, Deepa Sahi, Ketan Mehta, Anoop Jalota and Gippy Grewal were present on the occasion.

The main gate of the fort is

ment where the history of Guru Granth Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib and the Sikhs would be showcased.

He disclosed that the plaza would be dedicated to the people on December 18.

The Gobindgarh fort occupies an important place in Indian history. It was initially known as Bhangian Da Qila and was renamed in the earlier 19th century

known as Nalwa Gate after Hari Singh Nalwa - the famed general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In the aftermath of Anglo-Sikh wars the fort came under the occupation of the British. After independence the fort came under the control of Indian Army and in 2008 it was handed over to the Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board of the Punjab government.-PTI

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India-Pak meet calls for balanced media NEW DELHI: Media of India and Pakistan should continuously engage with each other and promote a "balanced" and "positive approach" in news coverage to improve bilateral ties, a conference of legislators and journalists of the two countries underscored.

Held in Dubai amidst chill in the

ernance and Democracy' emphasized that media can play a role in positively influencing relations between the two countries.

A "joint statement" issued after the conference stressed that dialogue is the only way forward for the two countries to improve relations and the essential respon-

A "joint statement" issued after the conference stressed that dialogue is the only way forward for the two countries to improve relations and the essential responsibility to chart a course in this regard remains that of the elected leadership in both India and Pak relations between the two countries, the 'India-Pakistan Legislators and Public Officials Dialogue on Sharing of Experiences on Gov-

sibility to chart a course in this regard remains that of the elected leadership in both India and Pakistan.

At the same time, it underlined "the critical need for positive and continuous engagement between Pakistani and Indian media". "... The participants highlighted that institutional arrangements in two countries through the respective professional associations and forums of owners, editors and journalists must be facilitated for dialogue," the declaration said.

"While promoting a balanced and positive approach in news media of both countries towards improving relations, the Dialogue recognized and appreciated the diversity of opinion in the Indian and Pakistan media.

"In doing so, the participants recalled the earlier Joint CommuniquĂŠ of March 10, 2016 on the subject that urged media in both countries towards the re-

quirements of objective and professional reporting upholding the core values and cardinal principles of journalism. In particular, sensationalism and negative hype must be avoided," the declaration said.

The Indian delegation was led

by Congress leader Mani Shankar

Aiyar and included AAP and Congress MLAs of Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana besides six journalists.

The Pakistani side was headed

by Senator Javed Jabbar and included legislators from various parties and journalists representing various organizations.-PTI

Dilip Kumar's home in Pak may collapse PESHAWAR: The dilapidated ancestral home of legendary actor Dilip Kumar here in Pakistan is at risk of collapse as the KhyberPakthunkhwa government is yet to acquire the building despite it being declared a national heritage

tiquity act to look after the properties declared national heritage but the house of Kumar has not been taken over under the said law, they said.

The legendary Indian actor, who was born as Yousuf Khan in

by the federal government.

Peshawar in 1922, is popular in The local people of the Qissa both countries, and for years, Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar, there have been requests in Pakiwhere the house is located, con- stan for salvaging his ancestral tended that the dispute over its home. ownership has also not been reThe 94-year-old Bollywood solved by the Khyber- actor, also known as 'Tragedy Pakthunkhwa government yet.

King' for his iconic portrayal of The house is located in a con- melancholy characters, is so gested area and can be reached only through a narrow six feet wide and Pakistan Prime Minister 33 feet long street, makNawaz Sharif had last year ing it difficult for visitors to approach it. declared Kumar's house a The dispute be'national heritage,' that can tween the owner of the house and previous promote close cultural provincial government relations over the money transaction still needs to be resolved whereas the present adored in Pakistan that in 1998 it government has not provided any conferred on him its highest civilfunds for purchasing the house, ian award, Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order local people said while celebrat- of Excellence). ing his 94th birthday.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz The condition of the house is Sharif had last year declared extremely dilapidated and it may Kumar's house a 'national hericollapse any time, they said. tage,' that can promote close culThe Khyber-Pakthunkhwa tural relations between India and government has passed the an- Pakistan. -PTI

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Mehbooba wants Modi to take Vajpayee line JAMMU: Insisting that dialogue is the only way for peace between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has suggested that the Modi government should adopt the policy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had exercised "patience" despite Kargil aggression and attack on Parliament.

She also hit out at Pakistan for "forgetting" its promise to Vajpayee about not allowing its territory to be used for terrorism against India.

Underlining that war is no option to any problem, she said, "How long you can be in the mode of war? Dialogue is the only solution to bring peace."

Referring to Vajpayee's steps, Mehbooba said the former Prime Minister had all the reasons to fight a big war after Kargil aggression by Pakistan happened in 1999, but he did not.

"It was followed by Parliament attack but even then he opted for patience and said 'friends can be changed but not neighbors'," the Chief Minister said addressing a gathering of refugees of 1947 while distributing cheques relating to compensation at a function here.

It was only after that the then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf announced that Pakistani soil cannot be used for terrorism against India and the result was reduced militancy in J

"Rather it led to opening of hearts and minds between the two sides which ultimately resulted into opening of borders, resumption of trade and more people to people contact,"

Mehbooba Mufti

Mehbooba said.

"We are fighting to resolve the (Kashmir) issue for so many years. I feel that if we all - the people of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir and governments in the state and at the Centre work together, we will be able to remove these knots.

Once the big knot (Kashmir problem) is opened, it will automatically remove the small knots," she said.

Pakistan is also facing terrorism and in recent past over 500-

"We are fighting to resolve the (Kashmir) issue for so many years. I feel that if we all - the people of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir and governments in the state and at the Centre work together, we will be able to remove these knots� and K, she noted.

"The Central government should also think on the lines to bring Pakistan to a level which we witnessed during the period of Vajpayee," she said.

In an apparent reference to the Kashmir issue, she said once the "big knot" is untied, all other "knots" will be automatically removed.

"We have to go back to the era of Vajpayee when hostilities between the two neighboring countries were minimal and despite provocations like Kargil and Parliament attack, option of war was not even considered.

cross-border roads should open along the border line in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister also sought the support of people of the state and the central govern-

600 people have been killed due to terrorism, said the Chief Minister who was flanked by her Deputy Nirmal Singh at the event where cheques of compensation to the refugees from PoK were distributed, decades after their exodus in 1947 and 1965. The Centre had recently announced Rs 2,000 crore special package as compensation for the families of the refugees.

Batting strongly for her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's ideology of having friendly relations with the neighbors and not to enter into conflict with each other, she said

ment to bring Kashmir out of the over five-month-long unrest.

"There is tension between the two countries but trade has not been affected via Wagah border," she said.

Saying that J and K has been the "biggest victim" of the subcontinent's partition of 1947, Mehbooba asked people of every region, ideology and religion to jointly fight for resolving issues confronting the state.

She said the people of J and K have been suffering since partition of 1947 unlike any other state.

She asked people of the state to join hands and lead in unbundling the "knots" which have tied them in a quagmire of "uncertainty and hopelessness".

The Chief Minister said she wishes the relations between India and Pakistan improve so that there is maximum trade and people's interactions, resulting in a consequential benefit to the people of the state.

She sought the help of all stakeholders in accomplishing this, saying it is her earnest desire to see the breeze of harmony, friendship and peace sweep the entire region so that South Asia gets rid of poverty, illiteracy, disease and destruction.

Mufti said wars all around have left behind a trail of death, destruction and displacement only. She said people of the state hold an important responsibility of ensuring and leading to friendly relations between India and Pakistan. -PTI

Pak appoints new ISI chief in major reshuffle ISLAMABAD: Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar has been appointed chief of Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI as part of the first major reshuffle in the military's top brass after new army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa took over the reins last month.

Bajwa, who took over from Gen Raheel Sharif two weeks ago, appointed Mukhtar as Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) replacing Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, the army said in a statement.

Lt Gen Akhtar, who was at the centre of a controversy following a Dawn newspaper report which said that the Nawaz Sharif government had told the army to either act against terrorists or the country would face international isolation, has been appointed President National Defense University.

The new ISI chief possesses a vast experience in the field of intelligence and has headed the counter-terrorism wing of the spy agency in Islamabad. He was commissioned in the Armored Corps regiment in 1983.

A graduate of the Command and Staff College, Quetta, National Defense University, Islamabad, and War Course USA, Mukhtar has also commanded a Mechanized Division.

As part of other major changes in the army's top brass, according to the statement, newly-promoted

Lt Gen Bilal Akbar has been appointed Chief of General Staff while Lt Gen Nazir Butt -- presently President of the NDU -- has been appointed Corps Commander Peshawar (11 Corps), replacing Lt Gen Hidayat- ur Rehman.

Rehman has been appointed Inspector-General Training and Evaluation (IGT&E) at General

Naveed Mukhtar

Headquarters (GHQ).

The appointments are seen as a move by the new army chief Bajwa to put in place a 'new team' after taking charge on November 29 as the 16th Chief of Army Staff.

A career infantry officer belonging to the Baloch Regiment, Bajwa is said to have extensive experience of handling PoK affairs and northern areas of Pakistan.

Among other changes he undertook, Lt Gen Asim Salim Bajwa, presently heading army's media wing, has been appointed Inspector-General Arms (IG Arms) at GHQ.-PTI

No change in China stand on NSG, Azhar BEIJING: India's diplomatic efforts to get China's backing for NSG membership bid and getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN seems to be making no headway with Beijing saying its stand on the two key issues "remains unchanged".

"As for India's application for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Masood as terrorist), China's position remains unchanged," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing.

His assertion that China's stand remains unchanged on both NSG and Azhar issues was made while answering a question on Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's remarks at an India-China think tank forum in New Delhi last week when he said China should not

give a political color to New Delhi's efforts to access civilian nuclear technology.

Jaishankar had also expressed dismay over the two countries not being able to come together on the issue of "fundamentalist terrorism" at critical international forums, a reference to China blocking India's bid to get Azhar banned by the UN. China's second 'technical hold' on Azhar's banning in UN is due to expire at the end of this month and the two countries are in talks on both the NSG and Azhar issues.

Officials here are not clear about the complex process of the UN 1267 committee where China, a veto-wielding member, has blocked India's application twice already, while the rest of the members supported it.-PTI

In Brief Chicago to coordinate immigrant services CHICAGO: Chicago elected officials are launching a task force to coordinate legal, health, and employment services for immigrants and refugees in the city.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the task force with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez. The task force includes aldermen, immigrant rights groups and labor organizations.

The move is the city's latest effort to beef up immigrant protections in the wake of Donald Trump's election. The Republican president-elect campaigned on an aggressive approach to immigration, including pledges to deport millions.

Emanuel says Chicago will continue to be a welcoming place for immigrants. Last week he announced the creation of a legal fund for those facing deportation.

The city has been a sanctuary city for decades. -AP

„ Emanuel spoke with Trump on immigrants CHICAGO: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he has spoken to President-elect Donald Trump by telephone and mentioned Chicago's status as a sanctuary city for immigrants.

Emanuel said Trump called him to talk about the White House transition. Emanuel is a former White House chief of staff to President Barack Obama and also worked in the Clinton administration.

Emanuel spoke about the call at an unrelated event. The mayor said he discussed ``a range of things'' with Trump. He said he specifically mentioned Chicago being a sanctuary city, which means city employees and police officers can't ask residents about their immigration status.

During the presidential campaign, Trump promised to withhold federal funding for sanctuary cities. -AP

„ Arizona asks Trump to protect immigrant students PHOENIX: The board that oversees Arizona's three state universities has voted to urge president-elect Donald Trump to protect students who were illegally brought into the county when they were children, while specifically rejecting efforts to designate the schools as ``sanctuary campuses.''

„

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Illinois varsity won't be designated 'sanctuary' for immigrants CHAMPAIGN, Ill.: The University of Illinois will not label its three campuses as sanctuaries for immigrant students illegally living in the U.S., school leaders said as they pushed aside pressure from faculty and others to make the designation.

Petitions from students and faculty at campuses in UrbanaChampaign, Chicago and Springfield were among efforts by students and others at more than 100 colleges and universities around the country to make the schools sanctuaries for immigrants following President-elect Donald Trump's promises to crack down on illegal immigration.

University of Illinois petitioners sought promises that student records would not be released and the school would not comply with any immigration enforcement action, as well designating someone on campus to help students seek tuition finding and other issues.

But sanctuary status is not well defined as a legal concept and ``may actually jeopardize our institution,'' University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen and the chancellors of the three campuses said in a statement. ``However, we will continue to do everything we can within the law to reassure, support and protect our students. Let us be clear that includes our undocumented students,'' Killeen and the chancellors said in the statement.

The university receives roughly $733 million annually in federal funding - about 13 percent of its $5.6 billion operating budget that could be at risk if the university does not comply with immigration law, spokesman Tom Hardy said. But what would happen if there were some kind of federal crackdown on students who are not legal residents of the country isn't clear, he said. ``There's just a lot of unknowns and a lot of speculation.

But what we do know is that we don't want to put our institutions and our people at risk of not complying with laws,'' Hardy said.

Faculty members at the UrbanaChampaign and Chicago campuses who signed petitions said

they were disappointed by this decision. ``But I think the message also reinforces a commitment to protecting undocumented students, and I think that's the piece we can work with going forward,'' added Siobhan Somerville, an associate

lowed Trump's pledge to reverse President Barack Obama's executive order granting temporary status to students living in the country illegally. Trump also promised during his campaign to create a ``deportation force'' and take federal funding away from sanctuary

professor of English and gender and women's studies at the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Petition drives and marches at campuses around the country fol-

cities.

New Mexico State University decided last week that it would not declare its campus a sanctuary or try to ban federal agents from cam-

pus. But other schools have said they will try to protect immigrant students who lack legal status.

Columbia University, which is private, plans to offer sanctuary as well as financial support, while the public University of California system says it will not assist federal immigration agents or hand over confidential records without court orders.

The American Council on Education, an advocacy group for colleges and universities, in a paper published this month advised caution regarding ``sanctuary campus'' plans. The paper noted that the idea of a sanctuary does not have ``legal status that is recognized under federal law.''

The paper also noted that there has never been a large crackdown on students who are in the country illegally.

The Latino Policy Forum, a Chicago-based advocacy group, estimates that about 1,500 Illinois college students are in the country illegally. -AP

Cal lawmakers to protect immigrants SACRAMENTO, Calif.: California lawmakers have urged President-elect Donald Trump to refrain from pursuing mass deportations and introduced urgent legislation to fund immigration lawyers and help public defenders protect the state's immigrants.

Democratic lawmakers also passed resolutions in both chambers urging the incoming administration to uphold a program for hundreds of thousands of young immigrants in the country illegally, despite intense protests from some Republicans.

State Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, introduced a bill to fund lawyers for immigrants in deportation proceedings, while Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, proposed helping public defenders assess the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.

Both measures were marked urgent and aim to protect immigrants in California - which has more than 10 million foreign-born residents -from Trump's campaign promises of tougher immigration

enforcement. ``This is a salvo, if you will, across the board to make it very clear that these are the values of California,'' Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, a Democrat from Los Angeles, told reporters.

Democratic lawmakers, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, proposed the measures fol-

crats' resolutions urging Trump to continue to issue work permits to young immigrants brought to the country as children. More than 740,000 young people are covered by the program today.

Sen. John Moorlach, a Republican from Costa Mesa, said he thought it was the wrong approach for California to take such an an-

Democratic lawmakers, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, proposed the measures following a heated election year where Trump made border enforcement a central point of his campaign lowing a heated election year where Trump made border enforcement a central point of his campaign and had harsh rhetoric for Mexican immigrants and Muslims.

On the first day of the new legislative session - which is typically reserved for congratulatory handshakes and bipartisan photo-ops -debate was heated over Demo-

tagonistic tone with a president who is not even inaugurated yet. ``I'm not comfortable with saying we will fight, although I understand it. I think we ought to try to work with this administration,'' he said. ``We should be collaborative. I don't think defiance is the right approach.''

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Hollywood stars draw attention to refugees BOSTON: Minnie Driver, John Cho and Oliver Platt are among 14 Hollywood stars are participating in a new Oxfam America program that's meant to inspire people to help refugees.

The "I Hear You" campaign launched by the Boston-based

job. They also talk about the things they miss, including neighborhood cookouts and trips to the amusement park, and articulate the grief they feel for long-lost friends and relatives.

There are currently more than 65 million people in the world who

charity features videos of the actors, many of them close to tears, reading the firsthand stories of refugees aloud.

The refugees express their desires for normalcy, peace, a permanent home, an education and a

have been forced from their homes by war, disaster, poverty, inequality and the effects of climate change, the most since World War II, according to Oxfam. ``Our house was destroyed. We don't have anything left,'' Melissa

PHILADELPHIA: A U.S. appeals court must decide if older immigrant and refugee students steered to an alternative high school in Pennsylvania are getting a meaningful education or are simply being passed through the system.

Civil rights lawyers argued that the Lancaster School District is sending immigrant students who are 17 to 21 years old and can't speak English to an alternative

whether the degrees have any meaning if the students don't master core academic subjects.

Lancaster has seen an influx of refugees and immigrants, in part through resettlement programs.

About 17 percent of the district's 11,000 students are English language learners and nearly 5 percent are refugees. The main high school also has a program for international students that includes English as a Second Language. A

Leo says, telling the story of a Syrian family's matriarch who busies herself cleaning the family's tent and taking care of her grandchildren. ``I won't stop teaching,'' Cho reads in another, recounting the story of a teacher in a refugee camp who draws letters in the dirt just to make sure the children get an education.

The project was created by Julie Anne Robinson, a Golden Globe nominated director and producer who wanted to show that refugees have the same hopes and dreams that we all have. ``I came up with the idea for this project because I wanted to find a way to communicate the human stories of displaced people,'' she said.

Driver hopes the campaign spurs people to become involved. ``I don't believe we can become numb to the pain and suffering of so many people in the world when there are actually real things we can do,'' she said in a statement released by Oxfam.

The other stars involved include Margot Robbie, Gael Garcia Bernal, Anna Camp and Al Madrigal. -AP

Boston students quit classes to protest Trump BOSTON: More than 200 Boston students walked out of classes and marched to the City Hall and Statehouse to protest President-elect Donald Trump's

ing the rights of all immigrants, minorities, women and the LGBTQ community.

Several dozen students sat on the floor in front of Baker's office,

policy proposals.

Boston Public Schools administrators said they marked 282 high school and middle students absent for skipping afternoon classes.

About 56,000 students attend the city's public schools.

The protesters were calling on Mayor Marty Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker to commit to protect-

demanding to speak to the governor.

Baker was in the building when the students arrived but left without seeing them.

Walsh and School Superintendent Tommy Chang say they understand the students' concerns, but would rather they stayed in school. -AP

Nevada varsity supports Immigrants seek place in high schools 'illegal' students

The Lancaster School District said its concentrated program for English language learners allows them to earn degrees more quickly, and prevents the older students from getting frustrated school with fewer academic opportunities.

The Lancaster School District said its concentrated program for English language learners allows them to earn degrees more quickly, and prevents the older students from getting frustrated and dropping out.

U.S. Circuit Judge Cheryl Ann Krause, however, questioned

district judge, after hearing five days of evidence at trial, had ordered the district to let the students involved in the suit decide which school they want attend.

However, his August ruling did not cover other students.

Plaintiffs experts had said there was no evidence the students benefited from an alternative program that combines both English

immersion and an accelerated pace. The students, who come from Somalia, Sudan and other war-torn countries, testified at the trial through translators. ``We're talking about a vulnerable group of kids. These are kids who didn't win the lottery in life,'' lawyer Witold ``Vic'' Walczak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, argued on their behalf.

Lawyer Thomas Specht, representing the district, said the 80minute block classes at the alternative school, Phoenix Academy, offered more intensive instruction but was not necessarily faster paced. The school is run by a contractor, Camelot Education, and has a policy of not letting students bring books and other items to and from school.

The district allows immigrant students under 17 to enroll at McCaskey High School. District officials were concerned about young teenagers at the high school mixing with students as old as 20 or 21, Specht said. Phoenix Academy enrolls students in grades 7 through 12 who have fallen behind their peers. -AP

RENO, Nev.: University of Nevada, Reno President Marc Johnson is showing his support for students who have immigrated to the country illegally.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports Johnson has joined other college and university presidents across the nation in signing a statement that calls for the continuation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The document had more than 500 signatures.

The action comes as Presidentelect Donald Trump has said he would get rid of the program, which provides temporary re-

prieves from deportation for young people living in the U.S. illegally who meet certain criteria.

Johnson says the program has

Marc Johnson

had ``highly positive impacts'' on the university and community.

UNR students are also gathering signatures for a petition that seeks to have the university become a sanctuary campus. -AP

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Arizona asks Trump to protect immigrant students PHOENIX: The board that oversees Arizona's three state universities has voted to urge presidentelect Donald Trump to protect students who were illegally brought into the county when they were children, while specifically rejecting efforts to designate the schools as ``sanctuary campuses.''

The Arizona Board of Regents voted unanimously to send a letter to Trump applauding his efforts to boost border security but saying that he should work with Congress to protect the students.

Trump campaigned on ending President Barack Obama's immigration actions, including the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program known as DACA. That program has given work permits and relief from deportation to more than 700,000 young immigrants, about 27,000 in Arizona.

The letter notes that allowing the student to legally stay in the U.S. is within the rule of law because most were brought to the U.S. when they ``lacked meaningful capacity to have violated our immigration laws.''

Board chair Greg Patterson said Arizona's university system will not do what others across the nation are doing _ considering or adopting policies that give sanctuary to students living in the U.S. without authorization. ``We're not going to be a sanctuary campus. It's pretty clear in here that we say we're going to follow the law,'' Patterson said.

Board of Regents meeting on December 9

``That's just the answer - we're going to follow the law.''

Northern Arizona University President Rita Chang told the board that she appreciated the board position about following the law. ``Your letter helps to reinforce that we're following the law, we will always follow the law and that we advocate for the DACA students but we're not going to be sanctuary campuses, and I appreciate that,'' Chang said.

But a DACA student who attended the meeting said the board's letter essentially was ``throwing our parents under the bus'' by making a legal distinction between them and their children. ``Our parents are not criminals,

UK has failed to integrate minorities LONDON: The UK has failed to truly integrate minorities, particularly Muslims of Pakistani and Bangladeshi-origin, leaving the ground open for extremists to exploit them, a new governmentbacked report has said.

Dame Louise Casey, a senior civil servant, in a study on community cohesion, commissioned by former Prime Minister David Cameron last year, has accused successive governments of failing on cohesion with attempts at integration amounting to nothing more than "saris, samosas and steel drums".

The report said: "Since 2010, cohesion policy has largely been squeezed out...Government s policy consisted of a relatively small pot of funding going towards small-scale exemplar projects such as inter-faith dialogue, training curry chefs or cross community social events such as the Big Lunch and Our Big Gig .

"This has been described to us as amounting to 'saris, samosas and steel drums for the already well-intentioned.

These are worthy and enjoyable projects which should continue but they are not enough on their own, nor should they be a substitute for tackling difficult issues."

In the report titled 'The Casey Review: A review into opportunity and integration', she was particularly critical of the segregation among Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin migrants to the UK. "In some council wards, as many as 85 per cent of the population come from a single minority background, and most of these high minority concentrations are deprived Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage communities," she said.

Cont'd on Page 15

they brought us here for a reason,'' Arizona State University communications major Korina Iribe told the board. ``We can't be here without our families. Our families are our backbone and our strength, and we want relief for them just as much as we want it for us.

NAU, ASU and the University of Arizona collectively have 240 DACA students but many more are likely in coming years. The students have paid in-state tuition since a court ruling in mid-2015 after a judge found that the DACA program grants legal presence in the country to its recipients. Former Attorney General Tom Horne con-

Muslim cleric fighting against deportation NEWARK, N.J.: The leader of one of New Jersey's largest mosques has taken the stand to defend himself against charges that he lied on his green card application.

Imam Mohammad Qatanani is the leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County.

A judge ruled against immigration authorities' attempt to have him deported eight years ago. Federal officials say he didn't disclose that he'd been convicted in Israel for being a member of Hamas.

Qatanani began testifying before an immigration court judge in Newark as part of the appeals process.

Qatanani denies he was ever part of the group classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. He says he was only detained and never convicted.

Qatanani came to the U.S. from Jordan. He was born in the West Bank. -AP

tended that a 2006 voter-enacted law known as Proposition 300 barred the state benefits.

Trump this week adopted a far more sympathetic tone toward the

young immigrants known to their supporters as ``Dreamers.'' ``We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud,'' Trump told Time Magazine. ``They got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen.''

Board member Jay Heiler said he worked to craft the letter because he wanted to offer Trump a straight-up legal analysis free of politics. ``We wanted to stay focused on the issue at hand ... and the individuals at hand,'' Heiler said. ``This isn't about labels and words and hot-buttons and media fandangos, this is about human beings.'' -AP

Cal lawmakers to protect immigrants Cont'd from Page 12

De Leon called the resolution necessary and urgent as children are afraid their parents will be deported.

Gov. Jerry Brown declined to take a position on the immigration legislation being introduced. But he said he'll ``look very carefully at whatever they propose.'' ``I have signed some similar measures in the past, at least through the budget,'' he told reporters in his office. ``I am very supportive of the people of California and those who have come here more recently, so I'll take a good look at whatever they present.''

About 2.4 million immigrants in California lack legal status, according to estimates by the Washington-based Pew Research Center.

The two immigration bills could cost the state between $10 million and $80 million, according to proponents.

Immigrant advocates said other bills are also being considered to further limit federal immigration enforcement in California and protect immigrants' information in state databases.

In recent years, California has passed a series of measures to assist and protect immigrants in the country illegally, for example, limiting the cases when local law enforcement can turn over immigrant arrestees for deportation.

California offers state-subsidized health care to children from low-income families who are in the country illegally and issues driver's licenses regardless of legal status. -AP

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Immigration Post

India Post 15

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Afghan refugee woman becomes military pilot KABUL, Afghanistan: From a lords. They took refuge in Paki- missions. childhood as a refugee, Capt. stan, returning only after the fall Ferozi is one of only two female Safia Ferozi is now flying a trans- of the Taliban. pilots in the Afghan air force, but port plane for Afghanistan's air In high school in post-Taliban five other women are currently force as the country's second fe- Afghanistan, Ferozi saw a TV going through training. male pilot, a sign of the efforts to commercial urging women to join In 2013, Capt. Niloofar Rahmani bring more women into the armed the military. So after graduation became the country's first woman forces.

Along the way, the 26year-old Ferozi also married another pilot, who flies in the same unit supporting army ground forces. They are part of a small Afghan air force that is trying to take a greater role in fighting the Taliban insurgency. ``When I wear military uniform, I really, really feel Capt Safia Ferozi, 26, sits in a turboprop plane used as transport for the Afghan armed forces proud of myself as a woman,'' Ferozi said while prepar- she enrolled in the military acad- pilot in more than 30 years and the ing for a flight at the air force base emy, studying to become a com- first to pilot fixed-wing aircraft in the capital, Kabul. She flies a C- munication officer. Then it was there were a few female helicopter 208, a turboprop plane used as announced at the academy that pilots during Soviet-backed rule in transport for the armed forces. the air force was looking for the 1980s. She is now in the United Nearly 16 years since the col- women to become pilots.

States training on the far larger Clapse of the militant Taliban regime Ferozi and 12 other women ap- 130 military transport craft. after the US-led invasion in 2001, plied, and she was the only one Ferozi says she hopes to inspire Afghan women are taking steps who passed the tests to enter other women. to increase their presence in soci- training. ``As a woman you face many ety, including in parliament, govWhile she was training at an challenges, but you have to deal somehow with all those problems,'' she said.

Afghanistan's small air force - just over 100 There are around 1,800 women aircraft - received little attention for years, but serving in Afghanistan's 195,000member military, according to Gen. in 2015 NATO and the U.S. began focusing Mohammad Radmanish, deputy on building it up with increased training and Defense Ministry spokesman. The military, which is heavily backed equipment. The force has attack helicopters by the U.S. and NATO, is working and light attack planes to bring the number up to 10 percent of its ranks over the next ernment and the military. Still, they airfield in the western province of seven years, he said. face resistance in a deeply con- Herat, she first met Capt.

Afghanistan's small air force servative society where women Mohammad Jawad Najafi, the pi- just over 100 aircraft - received little are largely expected to stay in the lot who would later become her attention for years, but in 2015 home and where violence against husband. They married nearly two NATO and the U.S. began focuswomen remains a widespread years ago, and he has since backed ing on building it up with inproblem. her ambitions. creased training and equipment.

When she was a child, Ferozi's She graduated from training in The force has attack helicopters family fled from their home in 2015. She gave birth to their first and light attack planes that have Kabul in the 1990s, during the civil child, daughter Nergis, now nearly been flying combat missions this war among Afghanistan's war- 8 months old, and is back flying year, though NATO militaries carry out the vast majority of strikes in the fight against insurgents.

The other major role for the air force is in emergency humanitarian missions, helping those hit by flooding, avalanches, landslides or other disasters. -AP

16 refugees in custody on reaching Florida JUPITER ISLAND, Fla.: Authorities in Florida say more than a dozen refugees are in custody after they landed along the state's Atlantic coast.

The Martin County Sheriff's Office says federal agents took 14 adults and two children into custody after the refugees arrived at Jupiter Island, Florida.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Christine Weiss says the refugees

appear to be from Haiti and Colombia.

The group is made up of two children, six males and eight females, including one who is pregnant, authorities say. She was taken to a hospital for observation. Weiss says there may be more refugees who fled before law enforcement agents arrived. Air, ground and marine units of the sheriff's office are searching the area. -AP

New trial ordered for Chicago activist DETROIT: A judge in Detroit has ordered a new trial for a Chicago activist who was granted U.S. citizenship without disclosing her conviction for bombings in Israel decades ago.

Rasmea Odeh will be allowed to show that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder when she was interviewed in Detroit during the citizenship process in 2004. Federal Judge Gershwin Drain didn't allow the

evidence during Odeh's trial.

In 2014, she was convicted of lying to get U.S. citizenship and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

She's been free during her appeal.

Odeh was convicted of two bombings in Jerusalem in 1969, including one that killed two people. She says she was tortured into confessing.

She's a pro-Palestinian activist and affiliated with the Arab American Action Network in Chicago.-AP

Man denies having role in prostitution ring NEWARK, N.J.: A New Brunswick man has denied accusations that he carried out killings as part of his role in a criminal enterprise that brought people into the country illegally to work in New Jersey brothels.

Twenty-seven-year-old Wilmer Chavez-Romero pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, racketeering, conspiracy to harbor aliens resulting in death and other offenses in Newark federal court.

Chavez-Romero was allegedly the ``enforcer'' of a large-scale

prostitution ring that operated in Cumberland, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Prosecutors say ChavezRomero committed assaults and robberies to attack rival operations, punished disloyal members of the organization and carried out killings. Chavez-Romero, also known as ``Charmin,'' is said to have been the house manager for the group's Bridgeton brothel.

He faces a possible sentence of life in prison if convicted. -AP

UK has failed to integrate minorities Cont'd from Page 14

"I have also seen and heard that this sense of retreat and retrenchment can sometimes go hand in hand with deeply regressive religious and cultural practices, especially when it

comes to women.

These practices are preventing women from playing a full part in society, contrary to our common British values, institutions and indeed, in some cases, our laws," she added.-PTI

Desi News Consulate 'Open House' every fortnight India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO: The Indian Consulate, San Francisco will hold an "Open House" every fortnight starting from January 2017 to address the grievances of the people on issues related to visas, passports and OCI cards.

According to the Press Note issued by the Consulate, this service will be available from 10 am to 1 pm on the first Wednesday and 2 pm to 5 pm on the third Wednesday of every month w.e.f. January 2017. If these happen to fall on a holiday, the Open House will be held on the first working day thereafter. Complaints and grievances pertaining to grant of visas, passports and/or OCI cards will be attended to in the 'Open House'.

Kids inspire and live the Balvatika dream MADHU JUNEJA

FREMONT, CA: I am a mom of three and a scientist by profession working for a biopharmaceutical company. Like any other working parent living here, it's needless to say how busy our lives are! Even starting your day as early as 4:30am in the morning, I am always short of time, especially when it comes to spending quality time with kids.

Balvatika, is a name that I have given to my passion of just being with the kids. It's a dream of living with pure souls, sharing their laughter, their innocence and their serenity. It's not a profitable or non-profitable organization but just my way of bringing families together in our community.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

www.indiapost.com

Verandah to complete 1st phase by summer

December 16, 2016

Impressive investment bid by Chhatisgarh CM & delegation India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A three-day business jaunt by a high level government delegation led by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh to Chicago from November 29 to December 1turned out to be a success.

The prime objective of the visit was to encourage and promote US investments in Chhattisgarh, particularly in the areas of food processing, engineering, manufacturing, IT, renewable energy and

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh (center) with Indian CG Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Midwest elites, guests and member delegates

CM Dr Raman Singh addressing the gathering

infrastructure projects. The visit was coordinated by the Indian Consulate in Chicago.

The delegation comprised senior officers of Government of Chhattisgarh including Vivek Dhand, Chief Secretary, Aman Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to CM & IT and Subodh Singh, Secretary, Commerce & Industries, among others.

The delegates took a field visit on November 30 to '1871' Chicago's renowned Centre for Technology & Entrepreneurship, which was created in 2012 to support Chicago's digital startup community. The Chhattisgarh delegation found the model of support rendered to young entrepreneurs and start-ups in '1871', especially through the medium of universi-

Details on page 18

US India Chamber holds Annual Holiday Dinner SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: The US India Chamber of Commerce Midwest organized a "2016 Annual Holiday Dinner" celebrating its 15th Anniversary on December 8 at Ashyana Banquets, Downers Grove, Illinois, with Indian Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed as the Chief Guest. Many business leaders and leaders from other Industry organizations and local area chambers attended the event.

Details on page 19

Details on page 21

Guests and invitees attending the presentation on Chhattisgarh

ties, inspiring and relevant for Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh state.

The Indian Consulate organized a Business Luncheon for the Chhattisgarh delegation the same day in collaboration with USIBC, TiE Midwest and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Cont’d on page 19

December 16, 2016

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Candlelight vigil pays tribute to Jayalalitha India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: India Post and AIADMK, USA, organized a candlelight vigil to paid tribute to the Late former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Selvi J.Jayalalitha on December 11 at Fremont Hindu temple from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

Jayalalitha breathed her last at the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on Dec 5. 'Amma' to people in Tamil Nadu and AIADMK supporters, she was 68. She went from being a prolific filmstar to becoming a four-term Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Jayalalithaa's death has marked the end of an iconic age in the political arena of Tamil Nadu and people are remembering her in their own ways. India Post newsweekly and AIADMK, USA had organized the vigil which was well attended by dignitaries and public at Fremont Hindu temple.

Consul General Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok, Dr. Romesh Japra, Publisher of India Post

and Chairman of FIA, Rajesh Verma, President, FIA, Abu Khan, AIADMK, Anu Natarjan, Former Vice Mayor of Fremont, Vetri Selvi, Founder California

Tamil Academy, Guna Pathakkam, BATM president, Jayakumar Muthazhagu, former president BATM, Arumugam, Former President BATM,

Ramesh EC, BATM and Lena Kannappan, 8K Miles cofounder were the dignitaries who spoke at length on Amma's political acumen, administrative

ability, benefit schemes introduced by her and courageous attitude which made the entire world mourn her death.

Cont’d on page 20

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Community Across America

December 16, 2016

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Kids inspire and live the Balvatika dream MADHU JUNEJA

FREMONT, CA: I am a mom of three and a scientist by profession working for a biopharmaceutical company. Like any other working parent living here, it's needless to say how busy our lives are! Even starting your day as early as 4:30am in the morning, I am always short of time, especially when it comes to spending quality time with kids.

Balvatika, is a name that I have

given to my passion of just being with the kids. It's a dream of living with pure souls, sharing their laughter, their innocence and their serenity. It's not a profitable or non-profitable organization but just my way of bringing families together in our community. All of us are living so far away from our motherland and so it becomes more important for us to live our

culture and pass on our values to upcoming generations. I am involved in this volunteer community service, which now has become my passion, where I try to organize short plays.

The first production of 'Balvatika' was in the year 2005

all of us. We all would burst out laughing at any wrongly pronounced Hindi word, because it would completely change the meaning of the sentence. Those were the moments that would fill me up with so much excitement and positive energy.

out from work and the house chores, when I decided that I wanted to bring Balvatika back in my life.

I sent a text to my neighborhood group chat to find out if they would be interested in their kids doing the play. Fortunately, I got

when my second child was less than a year old and my 1st one was almost two. The whole journey started with my first play, 'Ekta Main Bal' which was based on a short story emphasizing the power

My second play was titled 'Makhanchoor' which was based on Krishna's childhood mischiefs.

This was the first time when my own kids participated in the play and my own son acted as 'Krishna' and my daughter acted as 'Yashoda'. It was such a pleasurable moment for me, for the kids and of course for the other parents too. This play was performed at Fremont H i n d u Temple in year 2010, around 'Janamashtami' and the audience was limited to the parents and their friends.

'Ramayana', the latest play production from Balvatika is my comeback to my land of dreams. It was one afternoon when I was stressed

a very warm, nice and positive response. I decided to go with performers/actors with an age group of 4-9 years and older kids being involved as narrators and back stage managers. It was a great

of unity. This play was in Hindi and I still remember it was so challenging for me to make sure kids speak Hindi. Most of the rehearsals I was focusing on the language rather than on the script.

It was an enjoyable moment for

learning experience for all the kids.

Since Diwali was coming up I decided to do the play on, 'Ramayana'.

Cont’d on page 22

December 16, 2016

Community Across America

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www.indiapost.com

US India Chamber holds Annual Holiday Dinner SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: The US India Chamber of Commerce Midwest organized a "2016 Annual Holiday Dinner" celebrating its 15th Anniversary on December 8 at Ashyana Banquets, Downers Grove, Illinois, with Indian Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed as the Chief Guest.

Many business leaders and leaders from other Industry organizations and local area chambers attended the event.

Indian CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed addressing the meet

Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, with Mohan Dandamudi, Chamber officials and invited guests

Impressive investment bid by Chhatishgarh CM & delegation Cont’d from page 16

panies etc.

A delegation each from Indianapolis and Minnesota called on the Chief Minister and his delegation to discuss business tie ups with Chhattisgarh. The Indianapolis delegation comprised Raju Chintala, President, Indianapolis Hyderabad Sister City Committee & Indiana India Business Council, Mrs. Sumeeta Bhatia, Vice Chairman, India Association of Indianapolis and Situ Mistry, Board Member, India Association of Indianapolis while Minnesota delegation comprised

The CEOs of around 60 topnotch companies of Chicagoland area attended the event, besides delegates from Minneapolis, Indianapolis and St. Louis.

Hardik Bhatt, CIO of Illinois & Secretary Designate, Innovation & Technology, Hovan Asdourian, Director, U.S. Commercial ServiceChicago, U.S. Department of Commerce, Ian Steff, Executive VP & Chief Innovation Officer of Indiana, Dennis Pruitt, VP of International Business Recruitment, Missouri Partnership were among the prominent attendees representing The Chhattisgarh delegathe Government agen- tion made a grand cies.

The Chhattisgarh presentation titled 'Creddelegation made a grand ible Chhattisgarh: An presentation titled 'Credible Chhattisgarh: Incredible Launch Pad An Incredible Launch for Business' Pad for Business' showcasing business and investment Sudhir Singh, President, Internaopportunities in the state. In his tional India Chamber of Comaddress to the business leaders merce, Minneapolis (IICCO), CM Dr Raman Singh highlighted Vineet Sinha, Vice President, the investor-friendly policies IICCO , Ms. Elizabeth Fritz, Execuadopted by his State. He also par- tive Director, IICCO and Tony S. ticipated in a Q&A session and Dassan, Member, IICCO . answered queries from potential Members of the delegation also investors. visited the Art Institute of ChiThe Chhattisgarh delegation cago, which was the venue from had one-to-one business meet- where Swami Vivekananda had ings with several leading compa- addressed the Parliament of World nies from Chicago including M/s Religions on September 11, 1893.

VeriOwn - a subsidiary of M/s The CM also visited the India GalNew Generation Power (NGP), M/ lery which had dozens of rare exs RLD Resources and Bloom Com- hibits from Central India.

Ms. Roopla Khanna, Board Member, welcomed the gathering and conducted the event. Dr. Ajit Pant, President, thanked all the attendees for joining the celebrations in spite of the chilly weather. He briefed the audience on the history of the Chamber and shared his memories of the founding of the Chamber, as one of its four founders.

Dr Pant mentioned about some of the programs conducted in the past by the Chamber on subjects like Energy Cooperation, Aviation, Infrastructure, Retail, Skill Development, Immigration Issues, Leaders' visits from either sides, and its Entrepreneur Speaker Series etc.

Cont’d on page 20

Ms Roopla Khanna welcomes guests

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December 16, 2016

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Tamil Sangam condoles death of Amma NEELA PANDYA

NEW YORK: America Tamil Sangam has condoled the death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and said it would be difficult to see another leader like her in the decades to come.

"Struggle was her middle name and victory was her last name. Any other leader in her place would have given up and vanished from the scene but she was a born fighter. As a propaganda secretary of her party, as Member of ParliaAmma-Jayalalithaa remembered ment, as Opposition Leader and as Chief Minister her nation," said Prakash M Swamy, path was strewn with thorns and president of the Sangam. rocks but she overcame all with John Joseph, Chairman of her unmatched grit and determi- America Tamil Sangam said she

introduced numerous public welfare programs like giving free laptops to school children and grant to perform wedding of girls and remained a charismatic leader till she breathed her last.

Koshy O Thomas, President of US Friends of AIADMK, said Tamils all over the world have lost a true leader who was a mother to them. It is a terrible and unbearable loss and it struck like lightening making us speechless. " Jaya Sundaram, Vice President of America Tamil Sangam, said she was an embodiment of modern woman who rode like a colossus in male dominated society. Her concern for poor and vision for development will long be remembered in decades to come.

New Jersey Assembly issued a proclamation soon after she won the elections in 2011 at the instance of then Deputy Speaker Upendra Chivukula and it was handed over to her by Prakash M Swamy in Chennai. Thanking the

Candlelight vigil pays tribute to Jayalalitha Cont’d from page 17

Apart from the dignitaries, the vigil was well attended by over 200 Bay area locals mostly Tamilians, management team of Fremont Hindu temple and FIA.

‘She was a fighter, so much so that she managed to hold together a disillusioned party, single-handedly’ Marzuka and Muafika recited Tamil verse on Amma and her schemes which have benefitted the people of Tamil Nadu. An enigmatic woman, astute politician, iron lady, a beloved leader, said Abu Khan of AIADMK USA. She was a fighter, so much so that she managed to hold together a disillusioned party, single-handedly.

However, it were her efforts following the tsunami that shook Tamil Nadu in 2004 and Chennai floods last December, that best highlighted her administrative skills, said Dr. Romesh Japra, Chairman, FIA and Publisher, India Post.

gesture of NJ Assembly members and Upendra Chivukula, she said she remained grateful to the love and affection of those faceless friends who honored her. New Jersey State Assembly honored her with a joint resolution signed by the then Speaker of the House - a

ferred as Amma - when she was battling for life at the Apollo Hospitals in the state capital of Chennai for over two months.

AIADMK Member of Parliament from Coimbatore A.P. Nagarajan, who had come to the UN as part of the Indian delega-

Jaya Sundaram, Vice President of America Tamil Sangam, said she was an embodiment of modern woman who rode like a colossus in male dominated society. Her concern for poor and vision for development will long be remembered in decades to come. distinct honor not done to any Indian politician.

Tamils living in the Tristate area also offered special prayers to Lord Saneeswarar in the Saneeswarar temple in Queens for the welfare of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK Party supermom J Jayalalithaa -also re-

tion, joined the prayers held at Lord Saneeswarar temple in Queens. Special prayers and havan were conducted by the Tamils and Nagarajan sat through the entire puja done by the temple priest. Nagarajan said that Amma had a special place for American Tamils in her heart.

US India Chamber holds Annual Holiday Dinner Cont’d from page 19

like the Make in India Program, the Skill Development Program etc. He also suggested to the Chamber members to participate in the forthcoming events organized by the Commerce Division of the Consu-

He said that the Chamber promotes stimulating dialogues thru its programs, brings like minded people together, builds awareness and develops stewardship and mentoring.

With the US India Trade Past Presidents Ms. envisaged to grow four Gabrielle Buckley and times over the next 4 Richard Mcmanamin were years, to $500Billion, he said that the Chamber is felicitated and honored at deeply vested in the the event for their contribusuccess of the US-India tions to the Chamber. business relationship.

Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, Chicago, late.

Past Presidents Ms. Gabrielle in his address explained the various steps the Consulate and its Buckley and Richard Mcmanamin Commerce Division, under his lead- were felicitated and honored at the ership, has taken to promote trade event for their contributions to the relationship between India and US Chamber.

Finally, Dr Prakasam Tata, Midwest states. He narrated the events organized by the Consulate Board member, thanked the Conto bring various business organi- sul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed and zations together and also to create the attendees. The event ended awareness about the various pro- with a grand dinner and cocktails grams of the Government of India and more networking.

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Verandah to complete 1st phase by summer HEMA SHASTRI

CHICAGO: Verandah Retirement Community, the first of its type multimillion dollar project for seniors in Chicagoland, that had commenced construction in fall of 2016, is now slated to complete its first phase by coming summer 2016, according to Dr. Anuja Gupta, President & General Partner.

Giving this information to a group of invitees and well wishers at a recent event in Hoffman Estates, she said that Verandah will offer townhomes and condominiums for sale with a huge clubhouse and medical facilities for use of the residents. The location is central and close to new Elgin-O' Hare Expressway while the Chicago O' Hare airport is about 30 minutes away. Downtown Chicago is about 45 minutes away. The area also has two excellent medical centers, she added.

Verandah is a senior living community currently under development in the Schaumburg area. The Schaumburg area is central to many other attractions important to the Indian community such as the BAPs temple and Jain temple in Bartlett, Swaminarayan temple in Carol Streams, Itasca temple and Radhey-Shyam temple.

There are also two mosques located within a few minutes of the property. The Gurudwaras of Palatine and Wheaton are within 25-30 minutes.

There are many grocery stores close by like Patel Brothers, Surabhi, Annadata, and

A group of Chicago elites attending the Verandah presentation in Hoffman Estates

community room, gym, computer room, library, beauty shop, theater. The dining facility will serve vegetarian Indian and multicultural cuisine for lunch and dinner daily.

Verandah is a senior living community currently under development in the Schaumburg area. The Schaumburg area is central to many other attractions important to the Indian community such as the BAPs temple and Jain temple in Bartlett, Swaminarayan temple in Carol Streams, Itasca temple and Radhey-Shyam temple.

Start of the Verandah construction

Siri. The area also has many Indian restaurants like India House, Bombay Chopsticks, Jaihind Palace, Priya, Cool Mirchi and many more.

The townhomes and condominiums are especially built for senior living and offer a convenient, low maintenance lifestyle. The Clubhouse will be the main attraction feature of the community. It is planned as a 10,000 square feet facility with a dining room,

The property will also offer extensive landscaped areas including a big pond, park, walking paths. The medical services will include a doctor's office, physical therapy office, home-health service and an Assisted Living & Memory Care facility.

"Our emphasis is on socialization of the seniors. Loneliness is a big problem in the senior community. At Verandah we designed many amenities and facilities to bring the

seniors out of their homes and be involved in group activities, make new friends and enjoy their life some more," pointed out Dr Anuja. "This kind of facility was much needed for our community" said Sunil Shah, president of Federation of Indian Associa-

tions.

The event was attended, among others, by leading members of the Indian community Dr. Bharat Barai, Sunil Shah, Dhitubhai Bhagwakar, Haribhai, Narsihnbhai and Jayanti Thakkar.

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December 16, 2016

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Indian community awards night launched HEMA SHASTRI

CHICAGO: The need for a platform, where people from all walks of life can be part of a celebration and appreciation, was always felt in the Indian American community of Chicago for a long time. This desire and hope turned into real-

zation on December 10 at Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, a North West side suburb of Chicago.

The iCAN Awards are all about recognizing Real People with Real Awards. The Award Categories

The iCAN Awards Team with guests and invites

ity when the iCAN Awards were officially launched at an event hosted by the iHopeSewa organi-

are: Business Awards, Entertainment Awards, Fashion Awards, Community Awards, Education

Awards, Life Achievement Awards, Group Awards, Family Awards, Fun Awards and Social Media Awards.

"The idea is to celebrate the achievements of our local heroes' community in over 9 categories with 40 awards. The beauty of this concept is to reach out to every community of Indian subcontinent residing in Midwest and local people nominating local heroes and voting for them as well justifying the tagline real people real awards," said Ravi Rawat, iCAN Marketing Head "It's high time we recognize these individuals so that our community can learn from these achievers. I am committed to work with team to take iCAN to the national level," said Rita Singh, President SR International and Executive Member of iCAN Team The iCAN Awards Ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 18, 2017 in Northwest suburbs of Chicago.

A team of over 40 enthusiastic volunteers behind this move feel assured that the overwhelming

response that they are receiving will certainly take at par with renowned film and TV awards.

The iCAN team gave an overview of the award process and introduced the team leaders responsible for their respective award category.

The event was kicked off by Mohan Rawat a Desi Junction Radio Host. He gave an overview of the concept and the event started with a welcome note. Then The Event was officially launched by the likes of Jassi Parmar, Ravi Rawat, Sanjeev Singh, Bhavesh Patel, Neil Khot, Haribhai Patel, Rita Singh, Girish Kapur & Nilesh Topiwala along with volunteers.

Jassi Parmar & Ravi Rawat re-

vealed the high level concept with the media and the guests. The Executive leadership team was introduced by Saneev Singh, Neil Khot and Ravi Rawat.

The iCAN Awards

Neil Khot & Bhavesh Patel gave an outline for iCAN Branding and Strategy plan and introduced Hari Bhai Patel - iCAN Sr. Brand Ambassador.

Kids inspire and live the Balvatika dream Cont’d from page 18

My neighbors, whom I consider my extended family, are amazing people from different parts of India and now settled in the Bay Area. I cannot imagine my life without them. They all got together at my home and I explained to them all the details about 'Ramayana'.

I would like to recognize all the parents for such a great success of Balvatika's Ramayana. They were so punctual in dropping off and picking up the kids. Their trust in me, about me doing some great work with their kids, is very much

that time frame. It was such a great pleasure to get together with all the families and just be with them.

It was a day before I went to New Jersey, when I called Mr. Deepak Chhabra, Chair Events to find out if the kids could perform in Fremont Hindu Temple. Such a great support from him made me feel that I was not alone in my mission.I loved the way some parents send me the messages that kids were missing me and the practices, when I was out in New Jersey for a business conference.

We had four practices left after I came back and of course lots of

Hats off to all the staff of Fremont Hindu Temple, including the handyman who did the curtains the way I wanted them to be, the administration for all the IT help, Co-Chairpersons Mr. Rajesh Verma and Mr. Deepak Chhabra for taking time out from their busy schedules appreciated. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you and want to say that I love you all.

We started our practices late in the evening on Tuesdays for an hour and then for two hours on weekends. We celebrated birthdays (if there were any for any child), Dusshera, Diwali and all the festivals that happened during

preparations for the props and the costumes. Again, it was a joint effort of all the neighbors to make sure we arranged for the costumes.

The parents whose kids were not participating also pooled in all the help they could offer. I got busy with all the props that were needed and without any further delay the big day was already there.

We had an amazing 'Ramayana' performance from Balvatika's 3rd production. And along with it, the

November 13, 2016. Who says 13 is an unlucky number, I shall never forget this day in my life, it was

for all his support that he has shown in this whole journey, his understanding and making my

kids got the opportunity to show their talents. Amazing singing by Rhea Jain on 'Raghu Pati Raghav' added so much positivity to the whole atmosphere in Sarasvati Hall. Then we had another great Odissi classical dance performed

by Rinisha Giri. We ended the show with semi-classical dance performed by Isha Juneja to a Bollywood song 'Shivay'. I never thought that with less than an hour of preparation, my daughter, Isha could come up with 'Shiv's Tandav Nritya.'

I was so happy and excited to see my dream live on stage, on

my dream coming true‌ Hats off to all the staff of Fremont Hindu Temple, including the handyman who did the curtains the way I wanted them to be, the administration for all the IT help, Co-Chairpersons Mr. Rajesh Verma and Mr. Deepak Chhabra for taking time out from their busy schedules to watch the show and for all their appreciation. Deepak ji provided support in every aspect.

I was so touched by all the support that I got from Temple Staff.

It's just commendable.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my husband Nitin Juneja

dream his own dream. And I would like to thank my kids, Isha, Vasu and Shiv for just being there for me in making sure everything ran so smoothly.

A big salute to all the characters who acted in this play. Zoya Paruthi as Kekeyi, Shrupnakha & Soldier, Aryan Bhatia as Ram,Rishab Jain as Laxman, Simran Singh as Sita, Vasu Juneja as Bharat, Nyra Bhatia as Golden Deer, Aanya Giri as Dashratha & Raavan, Kavya Dutta as Manthra & Hanumaan, Shiv Juneja as Soldier, Isha Juneja as Backstage Manager and Rhea Jain as Narrator.

December 16, 2016

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Kumkumarchana performed at Fremont Temple

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: Koti Kumkumarchana was performed from 12 February to 12 October this year at the Vedic Dharma Samaj, Fremont Hindu Temple, to seek the blessings of the Goddess for Global prosperity.

This provided a unique opportunity to devotees to perform archana to Mahameru Sri Chakram which is otherwise limited to Vedic scholars.

The event was planned meticulously by the temple administration, priests and volunteers for over a month.

Lalitha Sahasranama is a sacred text comprising 1000 names of Sri Lalithadevi, the divine mother. These sacred hymns were written in Brahmanda Purana as Hayagreeva Agastya Samvaada - a discussion between Hayagreeva and Agashtya .There are several benefits of chanting Lalitha Sahasranama. The vibra-

tions create a celestial atmosphere and offers a blissful experience to the devotees.

It is no ordinary pooja. It is believed that unless "blessed" by

ing up for Koti archana. The benefit of chanting Lalitha Sahasranamam and offering kumkum one crore times is immense and immeasurable. It will

Hindu temple, who with his team of other priests has worked immensely for this puja.

Everyday about 500 devotees chanted the divine Lalitha

the Divine Mother in several previous births, one would not even be able to hold a copy of the Lalitha Sahasranamam, leave alone sing-

not only destroy all sins from previous births but give all the purusharthasi, says, Viswaprasath Kristipathi, Chief Priest of Fremont

Sahasranama and offered Kumkum Archana. Devotees were from different part of Bay Area namely Fremont, Milpitas,

Cupertino, San Jose and San Ramon. Over 6000 devotees participated in the nine days of chanting and they completed one crore chantings on December 10 at around 1:30pm.

Several miracles have been reported by devotees confirming the Divine presence in the form of Kumkuma shaping up as Omkara, Ganesha, Shivlinga and Mahameru Sri Chakram showing up as Jyotirlinga. With so many changings and detailed rituals according to Agama Shastra by Veda pundits have transformed the sanctum to be a divine abode, says, Govind Pasumarthi, who was the main volunteer and organizer of this 9-day ritual.

The management took this opportunity to thank the priests Viswaprasath Kristipati, Kumaraswamy Kristipati, Ravikanth and other priests of Fremont Hindu temple, Pandit Srinivas from Livermore temple and Veda temple, Milpitas.

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December 16, 2016

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Ontario declares Nov as Hindu Heritage Month India Post News Service

ONTARIO, Canada: The Ontario Legislature recently passed a bill proclaiming November as "Hindu Heritage Month."

Hindus are urging the Canadian Parliament, other nine provinces and three territories of Canada to do the same.

Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Hindu community. Since the first Hindu immigrants arrived in Canada at the beginning of the

November as Hindu Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Hindu Canadians have made to Ontario's social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Hindu Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Hindu Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and

Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Hindu community. They have made significant contributions across all fields: science, education, medicine, law, politics, business, culture and sports.

20th century, they have made significant contributions across all fields: science, education, medicine, law, politics, business, culture and sports. They have helped to build this province into the best place to live, work and raise families. They continue to help foster growth, prosperity and innovation throughout Ontario.

By proclaiming the month of

with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows: Hindu Heritage MonthThe month of November in each year is proclaimed as Hindu Heritage Month.

Commending this move on the part of Ontario Assembly, Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, urged that the

Parliament of Canada; provincial legislatures of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan; and territorial legislatures of Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon; also to proclaim a Hindu Heritage Month to honor their Hindu residents.

Bill 56, Hindu Heritage Month Act, 2016, introduced by Joe Dickson in the 41st Ontario legislature, received the Royal Assent on December eight. Its preamble states: "By proclaiming the month of November as Hindu Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Hindu Canadians have made to Ontario's social, economic, political and cultural fabric.

Hindu Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Hindu Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in

Ontario Legislature building

communities across Ontario."

Dave Levac is the Speaker of Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Ontario has more number of Hindus as compared to other prov-

inces and territories of Canada.

According to 2011 National Household Survey at Statistics Canada, there were 497,960 Hindus in Canada.

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December 16, 2016

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Wayfair asked to withdraw Ganesha bathmats SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Defiling Hindu deities with inappropriate usage in doormats, underwears and similar other things seems to have become a passion with some of the manufacturers and suppliers of consumer goods in many West-

rying image of Hindu deity Ganesha. The hurt Indians have protested strongly calling it highly inappropriate and have urged Wayfair to immediately withdraw these products The protest led by Rajan Zed,

A spokeswoman for Wayfair says the company was unaware of the concerns, but said whenever there is a complaint about a product the company investigates and takes appropriate action, according to a report published in Washington Times. ern countries and it is then left to huge protests and uproar from upset Indians that better sense prevails over them and they bow to their demand and respect their feelings for good of all The latest in this line is the Boston headquartered online home giant marketing their bathmats car-

President of Universal Society of Hinduism, has huge backing from Madhu Patel and Nand Kapur, former head of Association of Indians in America.

It is pointed out that that Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home

Sears asked to withdraw Ganesha skateboards MADHU PATEL

CHICAGO: Indian Americans have appealed to Sears Holdings Corporation (SHC), headquartered in Hoffman Estates, a suburb of Chicago in Illinois, to immediately withdraw marketing bath mats, skateboards and bedcovers carrying image of Hindu deity Ganesha,

Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees, observed Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism. He also urged SHC Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edward S. Lampert to offer a formal apology.

"Ganapati Hindu God Ganesha Bath Mat" sells at Sears.com for $50.93 or $38.99, while "Lord Ganesh Bedcover" is available for $14.58.

In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.

There are about three million Hindus in USA. Aw a r d - w i n n i n g SHC whose history dates back to 1886, claims to be "a leading integrated retailer foSears skateboard that has Lord Ganesha Image cused on seamlessly connecting the digital deeming it insulting the religious and physical shopping experisentiments of Hindus across the ences to serve our members". The globe.

Company operates through its Highly revered Lord Ganesha subsidiaries, including Sears, Roeis meant to be worshipped in buck and Co. and Kmart Corporatemples or home shrines and not tion, with full-line and specialty reto put one's feet on or sleep on. tail stores across the United States.

Bath mats with Lord Ganesha image

shrines and not to put/wipe your feet on. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

A spokeswoman for Wayfair says the company was unaware of the concerns, but said when-

ever there is a complaint about a product the company investigates and takes appropriate action, according to a report published in Washington Times.

Rajan Zed has also sought a formal apology from Wayfair In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is

worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking. There are about three million Hindus in USA. Ganesha bathmats at Wayfair sell up to $55.99.

Award-winning Wayfair, founded in 2002, claims to be "one of the world's largest online destinations for the home" with over seven million products, which included "one of the world's largest online selections of furniture, home furnishings, dĂŠcor and goods". It claims to have generated $3.14 billion in net revenue for the 12 months ending September 30. Besides Massachusetts headquarters; it also reportedly has presence in New York, Utah, Kentucky, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia.

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December 16, 2016

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Cardinal Cupich meets Indian Catholics STANY D'SOUZA

CHICAGO: History was made with the first ever Cardinal BlasĂŠ's visit with all the Indian Catholic community of Chicago area. In spite of snowstorm in the forecast, the Waterford Banquets' Grand Ballroom was packed with representation from various communities of Chicagoland area. People came from surrounding states to participate in the Eucharistic Celebration by Cardinal Cupich.

This program was arranged under the banner of Indian Catholics of Chicago by three major Catholic Associations of Chicagoland area. The representatives of India Catholic Association of America, Mangalorean Konkan Christians Association and Kerala Latin Catholics Association were the hosts.

The program started with Cel-

Cardinal BlasĂŠ Cupich addressing the gathering. Pics Austin D'Souza

ebration of Holy Eucharist by His Eminence Cardinal Cupich, who was accompanied by eight other

Cardinal with Choir Group

priests of surrounding communities. Cardinal Cupich in his sermon highlighted how Indian families come together to celebrate and rejoice with their whole family as one, which symbolizes the bond and togetherness.

He reminded the celebrants that Indian Catholics have a rich and historic cultural and spiritual heritage with the introduction of Christian faith by the apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas.

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist was highlighted by the three groups of choirs from the representatives of the associations involved with the hymns sung in English, Konkani and Malayalam. Cardinal Cupich expressed his appreciation for welcoming him with such grandeur. As a to-

Santa with kids

ken of appreciation the Association representatives presented a

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist was highlighted by the three groups of choirs from the representatives of the associations involved with the hymns sung in English, Konkani and Malayalam check to Cardinal Cupich.

Holy Eucharist was followed by a cultural program where all the children present received Christmas presents from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus (Randy Makela and Anita D'Souza). There was a raffle draw with many attendees winning several unique basketful of goodies.

The organizers arranged mouth watering ethnic snacks followed by sumptuous ethnic dinner. The attendees danced to DJ's English, Konkani, Hindi and Spanish musical tunes.

December 16, 2016

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

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December 16, 2016

ot just Bollywood, seems like the world is going gaga over Deepika Padukone. The actor has been named the sexiest Asian woman in the world for the first time.

She has dethroned Priyanka Chopra, who has won the title four times in the popular list that is annually published by Britain-based Eastern Eye newspaper.

Deepika, who is soon set to make her Hollywood debut with xXx: Return of Xander Cage opposite actor Vin Diesel, said in a statement: "It does bring a smile to my face, but sexy means different things to different people. For me, it's not just physical. Being comfortable with who you are, is sexy. Confidence is sexy. Innocence and vulnerability is sexy."

Priyanka was pushed down to second place and actor Nia Sharma took the third spot, and reclaimed the title as the sexiest television star. TV actor Drashti Dhami maintained her top five place and came in fourth. Rising star Alia Bhatt cracked the top 10 for the first time and was ranked fifth. She is followed by Katrina Kaif on seventh, Sonam Kapoor at eighth, Mahira Khan at nine and Gauahar Khan at tenth position.

T

The actress gave constant updates and shared beautiful pictures from her holiday in Maldives

rust Katrina Kaif to turn up the heat! The actress gave constant updates and shared beautiful pictures from her holiday in Maldives. And now, Katrina, who is back in the bay, shared another enviable picture on her Facebook account. The picture has her enjoying the calm under water. "There is a beautiful serenity about underwater shots," she captioned the pic.

The leggy lass, who joined social media only in July this year, has taken to it smoothly and her constant posts on the medium are proof enough. Keep 'em coming, Katrina!

1 Channa Mereya: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil 2 Nashe Si Chadh Gayi: Befikre 3 Ae Dil Hai Mushkil: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil 4 Kaun Tujhe : M.S. Dhoni 5 The Breakup Song: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil 6 Ude Dil Befikre: Befkire 7 Love You Zindagi: Dear Zindagi 8 Besabriyaan: M.S. Dhoni 9 Haanikaarak Bapu : Dangal 10 Bulleya: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

V

idya Balan believes in speaking her mind with no holds barred. Even when controversies and rumors around her marriage falling apart did the rounds, she didn't give in with any impulsive reactions and kept calm. Though the actor admits that initially the false reports used to affect her, she gradually became immune to them. "I got bothered initially because I couldn't understand why and where those stories are coming from. It was unfair. But now, it really amuses me. I feel if there was a problem, it probably would affect me but when there's nothing wrong, I am having a laugh about it," she says.

Vidya has been married to business and film producer Siddharth Roy Kapur for four years and sometime back, there were reports of trouble in their paradise because of Siddharth's alleged infidelity.

"Of course I was shocked as I never thought that anyone would say anything about my marriage but after a while I realized there are pregnancy stories. They (gossipmongers) made me pregnant every month. So it doesn't matter, whatever level people stoop to," adds Vidya.

December 16, 2016

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India Post 29

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He is focused on his career at the moment, but he would eventually like to get married and start a family

A

ll those who root for Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's love story, here's something that will definitely bring a smile to your face. The 'Befikre' actor recently opened up on his marriage plans.

In a recent interview to a daily, Ranveer admitted that he never considered walking down the aisle earlier, but with time, his views on marriage have changed.

The actor went on to say that he is focused on his career at the moment, but he would eventually like to get married and start a family. Now, that's an interesting revelation. Ranveer and Deepika hit headlines recently when they walked out of the Ambani bash together, hand-in-hand. Wouldn't it be nice to see the two take their relationship to the next level?

D But this stardom is not there anymore because actors are approachable.

There's no aura of mystery left

A

espite being a popular name in the industry and having his share of fan following, Ayushmann Khurrana believes that stardom doesn't exist in today's time.

The actor told a daily, "Rajesh Khanna, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan have enjoyed stardom. But this stardom is not there anymore because actors are approachable.

There's no aura of mystery left. New actors join the industry every year and everyone has a lot of work. There's no nepotism.

Models and TV actors join Bollywood. It's a good thing."

Ayushmann is presently busy with 'Manmarziyan' and 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' and has a couple of exciting films on the anvil.

fter breaking-up with Shraddha Kapoor, Aditya Kapoor has moved on in life. It is strongly buzzed that the 'Fitoor' actor has found love again and this time in international celebrity hair and make-up artist Marianna Mukuchyan. The couple has been dating for the past six months but wants to keep things under wrap.

Says a source "They have been dating for more than six months now, but prefer to keep it quiet.

She was Parineeti Chopra's makeup stylist on Koffee With Karan recently when Adi came with her on the show. Adi and Marianna have even attended the Burning Man festival at Black Rock City in Nevada on August 28 this year.

They came to Sonam Kapoor's Diwali bash in October this year, but in separate cars. Marianna came with Katrina Kaif, who is very close to Adi, and Ayan Mukerji, while Adi came alone. At the party they were seen dancing together and rest of the time they hung out in a corner. They have been very discreet about their relationship as Marianna wants to stay away from the media glare."

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akesh Roshan is miffed with Shahrukh Khan. It appears that the big box-office clash be tween 'Kaabil' and 'Raees' is in-

evitable.

Hrithik Roshan's 'Kaabil' and Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' were slated to lock horns in theatres on January 26. But the makers of 'Kaabil' tried to avert the clash by deciding to release the film a day earlier on January 25.

However, now even 'Raees' has shifted its release date to January 25, and it is also mentioned in the theatrical trailer. Not only this, 'Raees' will hit theatres from the morning itself, as against 'Kaabil' which will screen its first show in evening at 6 pm.

'Kaabil' producer Rakesh Roshan is quite upset over the sudden development and spoke about the box-office battle to DNA. He said, "I didn't know about their date. My distributors said we should come out on January 25 from the evening shows. I didn't know the Raees team also planned to change their date."

He added, "This February I planned the release of Kaabil. My film was getting over in August. I had October, November and December to re'Raees' has lease the film. But when I saw all the which were releasing on these shifted its release films dates, I said I will not want to clash and so I looked into January then. In date to January January, we had a clean slate. So we 25, and it is also announced the film in January. Now all of a sudden in the last month or mentioned in the so, I also learnt that they were also theatrical trailer. planning to come on the same date.

December 16, 2016

"This February I planned the release of Kaabil. My film was getting over in August. I had October, November and December to release the film’.

So I met SRK and explained it to him that there is a well and we both are jumping into it. Because there is a box-office limitation of not crossing 300 crore, either you will be at 170 and I at 130 or you at 150 and me at 150 but nobody will cross 300 crores. I also told him Hrithik is not your contemporary. Your contemporaries are Salman Khan and Aamir Khan who have already crossed 300 crores. So it is better that we don't clash and you choose some other date. He understood and then he again announced it to clash with our film. I met him again and tried to tell him but again and again when I met him, I got the impression that they were thinking that I am scared and that is why I am telling all these things. On the contrary, I was as a businessman trying to tell them that two big films should not come together."

Rakesh Roshan explained why he can't shift 'Kaabil', "I can't shift because I have a superstition.

Cont'd on Page 31

December 16, 2016

India Post 31

Modi bringing Nehru jacket back in fashion

MUMBAI: Shantanu Mehra of the popular designer duo Shantanu & Nikhil believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making the traditional Nehru jacket fashionable again.

"Our PM Modi is bringing the

traditional Nehru jacket back in fashion. Though most of the politicians are either wearing western outfits or typical Khadi and white kurtas, they are not wearing such traditional outfits," Shantanu said here.

"I feel that way, Modi is donning Nehru jackets that can inspire many young politicians to follow and make their fashion statement," he said.

Which politicians match up the parameters of GQ man?

"I think they need to groom themselves (politicians) better.

They should wear more stylish outfits that will not only make them look good, but also make our country proud and fashionable.

A Nehru jacket is apt for that," he said.

The designer duo, known for fusing history and heritage with modern elements in their fashion, unveiled their new collection Kashmiriyat 1990 at the menswear fashion event Van Heusen and GQ Fashion Nights 2016 here.

While last year the duo worked on a theme of Partition of India and Pakistan, this year their work was the reflection of equality and unity in the diverse culture of Kashmir.

Mehra said, "We are going back to history and bringing back those memories through our fashion.

Last year, when we worked on the partition theme, we intended to convey how we parted on a positive note."

"This year, when we attempted to redefine Kashmiriyat of 1990,

we highlighted on the unity in the diverse Kashmiri culture where there is a celebration of religious equality, a Kashmiri who pos-

sesses the sense of belonging as a Pandit or a Muslim."

Politically, the valley is going through a turmoil situation. But the designer said: "The sense of belonging is the ray of hope that young Kashmiris have in their mind. There are Kashmiri folk singers and rock bands who performed at our shows that came all the way from Kashmir. Their songs, their music says that they live in hope. We celebrate that".

As the menswear fashion is changing constantly and a certain fashion consciousness has developed among youngsters, where is the menswear industry heading to?

Mehra said, "In this country though men's fashion has a lot of potential, it has not been given its due. Now that various avenues are opening up, menswear fashion shows are happening. This is the best phase. The market is growing.

We have opened our three flagship stores."

Nawazuddin 'never 'Kaabil' vs 'Raees' row rages aspired to be a star' Cont'd from Page 30

NEW DELHI: Nawazuddin Siddiqui does not fit into the image of a typical Bollywood hero and the star says he was never interested in becoming one as he entered the industry with the sole aim to be recognized as a good actor.

The 42-year-old actor started his career with minor roles in films like "Sarfarosh" and "Munna Bhai MBBS". He went on to gain fame after starring in films like "Black Friday", "Kahaani" and "Gangs of Wasseypur".

Nawaz believes his hard work has paid off as he is finally getting the kind of roles he always wanted to do.

"Everybody has to go through ups and downs that's part and parcel of life. I've also seen a lot of ups and downs in my life but I'm more than happy that now I'm getting the opportunities to play my choice of roles.

"I'd never desired for typical hero roles in Bollywood. I only wanted to make my identity as an actor here.

Thanks to our industry, which is now actually writing roles for an artiste like me. Even commercial films have roles for an actor like me so I couldn't ask for more," Nawaz told PTI in an interview.

Over the years, it has been a mixture of hits and flops for Nawaz.

His films like "Kick", "Badlapur" and "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" were box office hits, while "Raman Raghav 2.0", "Te3n" and his recently released "Freaky Ali" were unable to impress the audience.

When asked if failure has ever let him down, the actor says, "I

don't believe in it and I'm not even in this race. My job is to focus on good acting and always make sure that I'm doing my best.

"People like my film or dislike it is not in my hand. I can only try to do good work. And also, most of

my life I think I've been a failure so, it doesn't affect me much. I've struggled for more than 10-12 years all my life and I've made this special kind of bond with failure.

So, if I have to ever face it again, for me, it will be my friend."

The actor has almost worked with all big names of the Indian film industry, including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and now Shah Rukh Khan in the upcoming crime action-thriller "Raees".

And, after teaming up with all these A-listers of Bollywood, Nawaz is planning to try his hands at working in Hollywood.

"I will do Hollywood films in the coming years. I'm in talks with many people. I'm going to do a Hollywood series as well."

Nawaz says unlike other Indian actors, who have done few cameos in projects outside of India just to get a Hollywood tag, he would like to focus on doing lead roles.

"My plan mainly is to do lead roles there. Unlike our Indian actors, who get ready to do anything just to be a part of Hollywood, I would only like to go for impactful roles.-PTI

I had shifted one film of mine King Uncle - by four weeks because of my daughter's wedding and it didn't do well. After that when Kaho Na Pyaar Hai was being released, January 7 was Aamir Khan's film Mela, 14th was my film and 21st was SRK's Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. All distributors told me to shift because you can't come in between Aamir Khan and SRK. But because of my superstition, I didn't shift. Two or three distributors also left my film. And it was my good luck that my film did really well. So once I announce the date I don't shift. So I explained to them properly. And they are youngsters. I love them.

I know SRK and his family well, Ritesh and Farhan well. So I tried

to explain it to them."

The veteran filmmaker is evidently miffed with SRK and the young makers of 'Raees' for not heeding to his advice. "You can guide and tell a blind person that there is a well and he will change his route. But if your eyes are open and you are seeing and still jumping in the well, I can't do anything about it. And it is not just affecting us. As a film maker from the last 50 years in this industry, you have to see the growth of the industry. This is not affecting just us. The clash will affect all the working crew members, the exhibitors, distributors and it will also affect the audience because they will be divided. So you are not clashing with me. You are clashing with the whole world. So how do we go then?"

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December 16, 2016 www.indiapost.com

Mata Hari's story retold through letter NEW DELHI: Bestselling author Paulo Coelho retells the unforgettable story of history's most enigmatic woman Mata Hari in her voice through her final letter.

Termed as a novel based on real events, "The Spy" is translated from the Portuguese work by Zoe Perry.

"Although I tried to base my novel on the actual facts of Mata Hari's life, I had to create some dialogue, merge certain scenes, change the order of a few events, and eliminate anything I thought was not relevant to the narratives," Coelho says.

When Mata Hari arrived in Paris she was penniless. Within months she was the most celebrated woman in the city. As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era's richest and most powerful men.

But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari's lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs Elysees, and

accused of espionage.

"The Spy" is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and who paid the ultimate price.

On her execution, Coelho writes,

Paulo Coelho

"Shortly before 5 am, a party of 18 men - most of them officers of the French army - climbed to the second floor of Saint-Lazare, the women's prison in Paris. Guided by a warder carrying a torch to light the lamps, they stopped in front of cell 12.

"Nuns were charged with looking after the prison. Sister Leonide opened the door and asked that everyone wait outside as she entered the cell, struck a match against the wall, and lit the lamp inside. Then she called one of the other sisters to help.

"With great affection and care, Sister Leonide draped her arm around the sleeping body. The woman struggled to waken, as though disinterested in anything.

According to the nun's statement, when she finally awoke, it was as though she emerged from a peaceful slumber."

When a French lieutenant held out a white cloth to one of the sisters and asked them to blindfold Mata Hari's eyes, she asked "Must I wear that?"

"If Madame prefers not to, it is not mandatory," replied the lieutenant.

"Mata Hari was neither bound nor blindfolded; she stood, gazing steadfastly at her executioners, as the priest, the nuns, and her lawyer stepped away," the

book, published by Penguin Random House, says.

After she was fired upon, Mata Hari remained upright for a fraction of a second.

"She did not die the way you

Mata Hari

see in moving pictures after people are shot. She did not plunge forward or backward, and she did not throw her arms up or to the side.

She collapsed onto herself, her head still up, her eyes still open.

One of the soldiers fainted.

"Then her knees buckled and her body fell to the right, legs doubled up beneath the fur coat.

And there she lay, motionless, with her face turned toward the heavens," Coelho writes.

As Mata Hari waited for her execution in a Paris prison, one of her last requests was for a pen and some paper to write letters.

Over the past twenty years, MI5 in the UK and Germany and Holland have released their files on Mata Hari, and it provided Coelho with a trove of information as he was researching his novel.

"I ended up with a mountain of documents," Coelho says, "but also with a question: What did Mata Hari write in those letters?

And how was she caught in so many traps, set by both friends and enemies?" -PTI

How politicians, land dealers wrecked Bangalore NEW DELHI: Modernity and enterprise have made Bengaluru unbearable as elected leaders, administrators and builders have "disobeyed" 16th century ruler Kempe Gowda's mother's advice, says a new book on the city.

In "Askew: A Short Biography of Bangalore", journalist T J S George walks readers through both Bangalore and Bengaluru

from gleaming skyscrapers and lively dance studios to colonialera bungalows marked by quaint little name-stones, from legendary eating places like Koshy's and Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) to shining new eateries that serve craft beer.

In the 21st century, the city is trying to cope with the problems that have accompanied its explo-

sive growth and enormous success - crumbling infrastructure, traffic jams, soaring real estate prices, corruption and chaos, says the book published by Aleph Book Company.

Despite the challenges it faces, Bengaluru continues to be one of the world's most distinctive and interesting cities, George argues.

Why did modernity and enter-

Toronto firm making film on Komagata Maru

T

oronto's First Take Enter tainment (FTE) and Mumbai-based Salman Khan Films (SKF) will produce Lions of the Sea, a film about the Komagata Maru incident of 1914 in which 376 citizens from Punjab, India, attempted to emigrate to Canada.

Upon arriving in Canada, all but 24 of the ship's passengers were denied entry and sent back to India, where many were either arrested or shot and killed by British forces.

The project is set to be the first feature film produced through the Canada/India treaty coproduction treaty, according to First Take producer Vinay Virmani, since the agreement came into effect in summer 2014, according to playbackonline.ca The film marks the second time that First Take has worked with Bollywood star Salman Khan's prodco, after SKF served as a mi-

nority producer on the Canadian romantic comedy Dr. Cabbie (2014).

Expected to star in the lead role is Irrfan Khan, who played the lead in Life of Pi and also stars in the recently released Dan Brown thriller Inferno. Vinay Virmani sounded Khan on the project Irrfan Khan

when he met him in Toronto last year for the premiere of Khan's film Guilty.

Virmani is penning the script alongside writer Suzette Couture, with production scheduled to begin in Canada, India, Hong Kong and the U.K. next year. The script

is based on a story that Vinay Virmani's father Dr. Ajay Virmani has been developing for nearly two decades. Vinay Virmani told Playback Daily the producers are targeting a 90-day shoot. Pauline Dhillon will also serve as a producer on the project.

Financing for the project will come from Telefilm, The National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) and private equity from various international investors.

Virmani said First Take wanted to make this project because the timing is right to tell this story, with Canada celebrating its 150th anniversary next year and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this year apologizing in the House of Commons for the treatment of the migrants aboard the Komagata Maru.

-Courtesy Asian Post

prise make Bengaluru unbearable?

"The answer was that Bangalore's elected leaders, administrators and builders disobeyed Kempe Gowda's mother.

When the fabled founder of Bangalore set out to build his dream capital in the 1530s, his mother gave him two instructions: 'Keregalam kattu, marangalam nedu (Build lakes, plant trees)'.

Gowda made a hundred lakes and lined the pathways with wide, leafy trees," the author says.

places where they could hold discussions over coffee. Nor would routine coffee do. Artists, musicians and wordsmiths were by nature connoisseurs of flavors who could separate the good from the very good.

"A culinary culture developed around Basavangudi, signaling the emergence of a food protocol that was to dominate South Indian cuisine. When Mahalaxmi Tiffin Room opened in Basavangudi in 1926, its superior khaali dosai be-

"A culinary culture developed around Basavangudi, signaling the emergence of a food protocol that was to dominate South Indian cuisine.�

He goes on to add that politicians and land dealers of modern times are not like Gowda.

"In about three decades they filled up 2,000 hectares of lakes, and, in the late 2000s alone, felled 50,000 trees. Under their earth movers and power saws, the urban sprawl expanded until Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) became the largest municipal corporation in the country," he writes.

The author says it was inevitable that where writers and artists were so vigorously appreciated, there should be appreciation for good food as well.

"Intellectuals needed meeting

came an instant favorite.

"In the 1930s, attracted by the large number of students in the area, a student canteen opened in Gandhi Bazaar with a name directly aimed at them: Vidyarthi Bhavan.

The exceptional quality of its dosais and coffee quickly won over the intellectual set.

"The great Masti Venkatesha Iyengar would stop at Vidyarthi Bhavan and stuff his coat pocket with a supply of rava vadai before resuming his daily walk to the Basavangudi Club - an act of disloyalty the 'Masti Club' overlooked in recognition of Vidyarthi Bhavan's virtues," George says.PTI

December 16, 2016

India Post 33 www.indiapost.com

Marriage on cards, confirms Anushka

A

nushka Sharma, who is going strong with her cricketer boyfriend Virat Kohli has finally broken her silence on marriage rumors and confirmed that she will definitely get married but not anytime soon. She says like any normal girl she would also like to enjoy marital bliss but is in no hurry to tie the knot. The 28-year-old actress, who is going great guns in career, said she is not thinking about getting married at present.

"Marriage is on the cards, but I don't know when it will happen. I haven't thought about it yet. I have done everything in my life very normally. And marriage is definitely there on my agendas in life. But I don't know when will it happen," Anushka said during a session at Agenda Aaj Tak here.

The 'Sultan' star believes even after settling down actresses in Bollywood are getting meaty roles. "I feel things are changing now. Actresses are working at same pace even after getting married or having kids. This is an amaz-

ing time for women in industry. I also would like to continue things like a normal person (after marriage). It is important to be that way. I didn't like when people said that actresses have shelf life," she

added.

Anushka also expressed concern on the increasing number of separations in Bollywood.

Anushka said divorce rate is increasing throughout country. The actress had the feeling that finan-

cial independence is one of the reasons of increasing number of divorces. Majority of women are working now.

"I am a very basic person. I still believe marriage happens only once and you have to sustain it. But I guess divorce rate is increasing in the country because the woman is changing.

Their thinking is changing, the equation they used to have with men is not same anymore.

"Women are financially independent and they are not looking for a life partner so that they can have a secure life. They want someone who is compatible to them. I feel one has to constantly work to sustain the marriage. No relationship works without putting in efforts," she said.

The actress, who has always been guarded about her personal life, said she friendzones men quickly. "I friendzone guys very quickly. I always draw a line. In industry Ranbir Kapoor is my very good friend. We have recently worked a lot together and share a good bonding."

Comic Con - Marketing platform for start-ups NEW DELHI: Amid celebrating pop-culture in India, gaming and entertainment, the sixth edition of the Delhi Comic Con here also served as an attractive platform for start-ups to promote their brands.

Dubai-based couple Mohan and Shweta who started "Comic Planet" last year in September, decided to start their venture and participate in the three-day-fantasy event after they noticed the latter's popularity among pop-culture fans here on an earlier visit.

"We got the idea to display our start-up here after we saw the enthusiasm amongst people for Comic Con. When we were roaming around at an earlier Comic Con, we found that a lot of toys which were actually bought from online portals, were being sold at much higher prices here," they told PTI Bhasha.

The duo now use the same strategy and purchase toys from China, Hong Kong and Dubai,

which are then sold here at relatively higher cost.

"We make sure that our products are not of cheap quality. We have been to every Comic Con in India, besides starting an online portal as well," Shweta said.

Franchise toys of DC and Marvel superheroes like Batman, Spiderman, Avengers were available at the 'Comic Planet' kiosk.

Merchandise start-up "Tathya", selling t-shirts and photoframes in innovative designs was also at the festival to establish business.

"Displaying our collection here is a boost for us since the products we deal in have a huge target audience here," Isha Nagar, coowner of Tathya said.

According to her partner Govind Mittal, such opportunities are a way to reach out to a large number of people and increase the visibility of the brand, without spending much money.

Former adverstising personnel

Tarun Jangid, who launched his venture called "Utpatang.com" two years ago, came to the Delhi Comic Con for the second time this year, with a larger and varied stock of products.

"Last year when we displayed our products here, they were very popular with the visitors. We have come here with more expectations this time," he said.

Jangid, who started with an investment of less than Rs 5 lakh is running his business without any external funding.

To expand his business further, he is getting into a range of franchises. Several products inspired from the recently released Bollywood film "Dear Zindagi" starring Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan were on display at his stall.

Other start-ups like Garbage Bin, Sculp art, Ek Do Dhai, Wear Your Opinion, Being Indian, and Bewakoof.com were also part of the Delhi Comic Con this year. PTI

Bollywood music has diversity: Shalmali MUMBAI: Singer Shalmali Kholgade believes there is diversity in Bollywood music and something for everyone.

"One striking thing about Bollywood music is its diversity, you don't get to listen to just one genre of music.

It's depended on film whether it's the slow ballet, rock song or electronic track there is something for everyone in Bollywood film," Shalmali told PTI. She made her singing debut with Arjun KapoorParineeti Chopra starrer "Pareshaan".

She has sung songs Iike "Pareshaan", "Lat Lag Gayi", "Balam Pichkari", "Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai", "Besharmi Ki Height" and others.

"I did not know what playback singing was when I sang 'Pareshaan'. I was told this is melody and you have to sing it, I sang naturally the way it came to me. And Amit Trivedi (music director) liked it. This 'Pareshaan', song is always going to be memorable for me."

In a short span of her career Shalmali has done playback sing-

ing for actresses like Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Deepika Padukone and others.

"My criteria is never about who I sing for as I don't have preferences. I want to sing a good song be it for a newcomer or Deepika Padukone I will sing the song with same amount of love and heart," Shalmali says.

Now, the 26-year-old singer will be seen as a judge on Star Plus' new singing reality show "Dil Hai Hindustani" along with filmmaker Karan Johar, composer-singer Shekhar Ravjiani and rapper Badshah.

"Judging someone is not an easy task. We will be looking for someone who has their own good voice and style.-PTI

Young, single men most likely to tell lies MELBOURNE: Young, unmarried men who have low levels of education and exhibit signs of road rage are likely to tell most lies, according to new research that showed how to accurately pick a serial liar based on a few factors.

In the study, researchers at Curtin University in Australia found that 13 per cent of people told 58 per cent of total lies.

Another likely group of big liars was young, married women with low levels of education who managed to get a high income, according to the research.

"So that might be women who have married into money," Arch Woodside from Curtin University told The Huffington Post Australia.

"Our aim was to find a recipe of factors that could determine nine times out of 10 whether you could screen for what you're looking for, in this case, a big liar," said Woodside.

Researchers tested combinations of factors like age, gender and education using a US survey

from 1998 that took representative samples from every county.

The quiz also asked lifestyle questions as well as others like how many times have you lied but also have you ever given someone the finger in traffic.

Researchers used this data to create a screening process to determine what other factors the big liars had in common to create likely groups.

"What we found is actually takes about seven configuration ingredients to be sure you identify big liars," said Woodside.

"For example a young male with low education is not sufficient information to determine whether he's likely a big liar," he said.

"But a young male with low education who engages in antisocial behavior such as road rage, well by now you can be pretty sure he is," Woodside said.

The study also uncovered 21 per cent of people who tried to live their life without lying at all. They tended to be older women who were not married. -PTI

Tech News Iran to buy 80 Boeing planes for $16.6bn TEHRAN: Iran has said it has finalized a USD 16.8 billion deal with Boeing to purchase 80 passenger planes, a deal made possible by last year's landmark nuclear agreement.

The state-run IRNA news agency said 50 Boeing 737s and 30 Boeing 777s would be delivered over the next decade, in the biggest agreement to be struck with an American company since the 1979 revolution and US Embassy takeover.

Boeing had no immediate comment.

In September, Washington granted permission to Boeing and its European competitor Airbus to sell billions of dollars' worth of aircraft to Iran. The US and other world powers agreed last year to lift crippling sanctions on Iran in exchange for it curbing its nuclear activities.

President-elect Donald Trump and several Republican lawmakers have criticized the nuclear deal, but it's unclear whether they would scrap the agreement, which was reached with Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.

Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi, who attended the signing ceremony, said it was a "historic" day for Iranian aviation and that the deal would create 8,000 jobs for Iranians. -AP

China gives Nepal Rs 15 bn for reconstruction KATHMANDU: China has provided Rs 15.80 billion to Nepal for post-quake reconstruction activities, a senior minister has said.

The Cabinet meeting decided to accept the grants worth Nepalese Rupees 15.80 billion provided by China, said Surendra Kumar Karki, Minister for Information and Communications.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers also decided to register the election (crime and punishment) bill at the Legislature-Parliament.

Decision was made to send a proposal to legislation committee on a work procedure to study the agreement government made with Govinda KC, and forward implementations accordingly, Karki said.

A committee would be formed by the government under the coordination of chief judge of appellate court, Govinda Prasad Parajuli, to study on the government employees and teachers who were sacked from the jobs on the basis of ideology during the conflict and agitation. -PTI

TechBiz 34 India Post

www.indiapost.com

December 16, 2016

Railways mulling hike in fares NEW DELHI: Train passengers may have to shell out more as Railways is mulling increasing fares in a bid to raise resources after the Finance Ministry rejected its proposal of a special safety fund.

According to the proposal, a safety cess will be levied to generate funds for strengthening track and upgrading signaling system and elimination of unmanned level crossings among other safety-related works to prevent mishaps.

Earlier Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley seeking Rs 1,19,183 crore to create the special Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh for undertaking various safety works. However, the proposal did not find favor with the Finance Ministry and it asked the Railways to raise resources on its own by raising fares. -PTI

Mistry removed as Tata Industries director and Chairman MUMBAI: Cyrus Mistry has been removed as director of Tata Industries following shareholders' vote, the first such instance of the embattled executive being ousted from the board since his removal as Tata Group chairman.

Mistry also ceases to be the chairman of the company following his removal as director, Tata Industries said.

"Tata Industries, at its extraordinary general meeting on December 12, 2016, removed Cyrus P Mistry, as a director of the company. Hence, he also has ceased to be the chairman of the company," it said.

Mistry was abruptly ousted as chairman of Tata Sons - the holding company of the USD 103 billion salt-to-software conglomerate -- on October 24. Since then, interim Chairman Ratan Tata has moved to consolidate his position by seeking to remove Mistry from boards of key listed firms.

EGMs of listed companies, which have been called to consider Tata Sons' proposal to remove Mistry as director from their

boards, are lined up throughout the month.

The board of Tata Industries, post the EGM, comprises, KRS Jamwal, R Bhinge, Ireena Vittal,

nies, including Tata Motors, Tata Power, Tata Steel, hold equity in the company.

Tata Industries' main activities are to promote Tatas' entry into

Cyrus Mistry was removed as the director of Tata Industries.

Ashish Dhawan, N Srinath, and F N Subedar.

Tata Industries is a subsidiary of Tata Sons. Several Tata compa-

new businesses and invest in operating companies to facilitate growth.

Earlier, in a communication to

stakeholders of Tata firms days ahead of meetings of shareholders of group companies to consider removing Mistry from board of six key listed companies, Tata Sons made several charges against him, including retracting on his promises, concentrating powers and using free-hand given to him to weaken management structures.

The promoter of the major operating Tata companies said it was bringing out "key facts" that resulted "in the loss of confidence" in Mistry and leading to his removal.

Tata Sons said Mistry "misled" the Selection Committee set up in 2011 for selecting a Chairman of Tata Sons to succeed Mr Ratan Tata, by "making lofty statements about his plans for the Tata Group and more importantly indicated an elaborate management structure for managing the Tata Group, given its diversity of business, by suggesting a management structure aimed at dispersal of authority and responsibility".

Cont’d on page 36

Govt to notify scheme for taxing black money NEW DELHI: Government is likely to notify the scheme giving tax dodgers another chance to come clean by paying 50 per cent of tax on junked currency deposited in banks post demonetization.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) provides for 50 per cent taxes and surcharge on declarations of unaccounted cash deposited in banks. Declarants also have to park a quarter of the total sum in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years.

The Department of Revenue will notify PMGKY 2016, which was a part of 'The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016' and was approved by the Lok Sabha on November 29.

"The notification will provide

details as to how declarations are to be made (format) and the manner of paying taxes, whether in installments or in full. It will also provide an end date to the PMGKY

duced in the Lok Sabha as a Money Bill which necessarily does not require assent of the Upper House of Parliament.

Constitution provides that that

scheme," an official said.

'The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016' was intro-

the Rajya Sabha is required to return a Money Bill passed by Lok Sabha within a period of 14 days

from the date of its receipt. The period of 14 days is computed from the date of receipt of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, which is November 30 in this case.

"The 14 day period comes to an end on December 14. After that it will be presented to the President for his assent and thereafter, will be notified," the official added.

The notification is also likely to specify that the disclosures in PMGKY scheme will ensure that no questions will be asked about the source of fund and there would be immunity from Wealth Tax, civil laws and other taxation laws.

But there is no immunity from FEMA, PMLA, Narcotics and foreign Black Money Act.-PTI

TechBiz Post

December 16, 2016

India Post

35

www.indiapost.com

Trump questions 'One China' policy WASHINGTON: US Presidentelect Donald Trump has questioned the relevance of continuing the "One-China" policy if Beijing refuses to make any concessions on trade, making it clear

China policy. But I don't know why we have to be bound by a OneChina policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox News.

President-elect Donald Trump has questioned in an interview whether the United States should continue its "one China policy" unless Beijing makes concessions on trade and other issues

that the communist nation can't "dictate" him.

The US since 1979 has respected China's stance on Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province. But Trump said without concessions from China, he did not see why it should continue.

"I fully understand the One-

"We are being hurt very badly

by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing," he said.

"Frankly, they're not helping

us at all with North Korea. You have North Korea, you have nuclear weapons, and China could solve that problem. And they're not helping us at all. So, I don't want China dictating to me," he said.

Responding to a question on outrage in China over him receiving a congratulatory phone call from the president of Taiwan, he defended the conversation with Tsai Ing-wen.

"This was a call put into me. I didn't make the call. And it was a call, very short call, saying, "Congratulations, sir, on the victory. It was a very nice call. Short," he said.

"Why should some other nation be able to say, I can't take a call? I think it would have been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it," Trump said.

Trump's decision to take the phone call earlier this month was a break from US diplomatic tradition and prompted a formal protest from Beijing. No US president or president-elect had spoken directly to a Taiwanese leader for decades before that.

Trump has previously criticized China for its monetary policy and its operations in the South China Sea in a series of tweets. -PTI

Trump 'studying' Paris climate agreement WASHINGTON: US Presidentelect Donald Trump has said he was "studying" the historic Paris climate deal, in comments suggesting he was softening his stance on the pact after previously terming it a "hoax" and pledging to withdraw from the agreement.

"Paris, I'm studying. I do say this - I don't want that agreement to put us at a competitive disadvantage with other countries. As you know, there are different times and different time limits on that agreement. I don't want that to give China or other countries signing agreements and advantage over us," Trump told Fox News.

Trump said he was "still openminded (on climate change). Nobody really knows. I'm somebody that gets it. And nobody really knows," he said.

Before the elections, Trump had said he would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, terming it a "big

hoax" in his presidential campaign statement.

He, however, said as America was engaged on the issue of climate change, China - the world's biggest polluter - was "eating our lunch".

"Yes, I think it's a big scam for a lot of people to make a lot of

As America was engaged on the issue of climate change, China - the world's biggest polluter - was "eating our lunch". money," he told the American network. "In the meantime, China is eating our lunch because they don't partake in all of the rules and regulations that we do," he said.

"If you look at what China is

doing, if you look at what - I could name country after country. You look at what's happening in Mexico where our people - just our plants are being built. They don't wait ten years to get an approval to build a plant, OK? They build it like the following day or the following week," he said.

"We can't let all of these permits that take forever to get stop our jobs. I won because of the fact that people that are great, great American people have been forgotten. I call them the forgotten man and the forgotten woman.

They've been forgotten. And you, in all fairness, and all of the folks in your world, and business, you forgot about these people.

"They're not going to forget about them in four years. They're already trying to figure out what happened. But I understood it because I understand our country," Trump said. -PTI

Trump promises probe into visa abuses WASHINGTON: US presidentelect Donald Trump has said that one of his first executive orders after assuming office would be to order investigation into all visas abuses that undermine jobs for the American worker, indicating that foreigner workers, including Indians, may face tough scrutiny under his administration.

While Trump did not identify or name any particular visa abuse, lawmakers for the past few years have expressed concern over abuse of H-1B visas by companies.

During his presidential campaign, Trump had emphasized tightening immigration and criticized companies that ship jobs overseas to countries like India and China.

"One of my first executive orders will ask the Department of Labor to investigate all visa

abuses that undermine jobs and wages for the American worker," Trump said at a rally in Michigan.

"We will fight to protect every American life. During the campaign, I also spent time with American workers laid off and forced to train the foreign workers that were brought in to replace them. That's not going to happen anymore," Trump said.

He was apparently referring to cases like that of Disney World and other American companies wherein people hired on H-1B visas, including Indians, displaced US workers.

"The company that's out there right now, they say you're going to train the people that are going to replace you, and if you don't do it, you're not getting your severance pay, OK, not going to happen to our people anymore," Trump said.-PTI

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December 16, 2016

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Ratan Tata hailed as savior of UK steel LONDON: Tata Sons interim chairman Ratan Tata was has been hailed as the savior of the UK steel industry after the Tata Group announced a 10-year commitment of one billion pounds investment to save thousands of jobs for its embattled steelworks in the country last week.

In a special feature titled 'Man

of Steel', the Sunday Times attributes the thousands of jobs saved in the industry largely to the sacking of Cyrus Mistry and Ratan Tata stepping in as interim chairman.

"Last week's abrupt change of heart owes much to a terse board meeting in Mumbai on October 24. At that meeting the board of

Tata Sons, the parent company that sits astride an empire spanning steel to tea, sacked its chairman Cyrus Mistry and reinstated his predecessor Ratan Tata," the report said.

Describing Ratan Tata as the "architect" of the

6.1-billion-pound acquisition of Corus in 2007, it quotes insiders as saying that the 78-year-old tycoon was never comfortable with the idea of abandoning Tata Steel's Welsh plant at Port Talbot the UK's largest steelworks.

"Now he is back at the helm, Port Talbot has won a reprieve," it notes. -PTI

Mistry removed as Tata Industries director and Chairman Cont’d from page 34

"These statements and commitments from Mr Cyrus Mistry played an important role in the Selection Committee's final selection of Mr Mistry as Chairman.

After waiting for a period of four years, almost none of these management structures and plans have been given effect to. Clearly, in our opinion, the Selection Committee was misled in its choice of Mr Mistry," it said.

Mistry's office, however, refuted the allegation. "On the contrary if Tata Sons had any point at all to make, it would have complied with law to form a Committee now to logically present

charges against Mr Mistry.

Armed with nothing better than the limp nature of contents of today's statement, it was obviously not an option for Mr Tata," his office said in a statement.

Tata Sons also charged Mistry of "inappropriate" conduct by retracting from his promise to distance himself from his family enterprise - Shapoorji Pallonji & Company to create "a sense of breach of trust" and posing "significant challenge to the high corporate governance principles Tata Sons strived for."

"This retraction created grave concerns on Mr Mistry's ability to lead the Tata Group devoid of personal conflicts and put to risk

the high standards of self-less governance, that lies at the core of the Tata philosophy," it said.

Tata Sons also claimed Mistry had over the past 3-4 years concentrated all power and authority only in his own hands as Chairman in all the major Tata Group operating companies and "gone about systematically diluting the representation of Tata Sons on the Boards of various Tata Companies."

Mistry took advantage of the "free hand" and trust "to weaken management structures in Tata companies acting contrary to his fiduciary duties," Tata Sons said in the appeal to shareholders.

Refuting Tata Sons' allega-

Sweden runs out of garbage, now importing it LONDON: Sweden has run out of garbage and the Scandinavian country has been forced to import rubbish from other countries to keep its state-of-theart recycling plants going.

Sweden, which sources almost half its electricity from renewables, was one of the first countries to implement a heavy tax on fossil fuels in 1991.

Sweden's recycling system is so sophisticated that only less than 1 per cent of its household waste has been sent to landfill last year.

"Swedish people are quite keen on being out in nature and they are aware of what we need do on nature and environmental issues. We worked on communications for a long time to make people aware not to throw things outdoors so that we can recycle and reuse," said Anna-Carin Gripwall, director of communications for Avfall Sverige, the Swedish Waste Management's recycling association.

Sweden has implemented a cohesive national recycling policy so that even though private companies undertake most of the business of importing and burning waste, the energy goes into a national heating network to heat homes through the extremely cold winter.

"That's a key reason that we have this district network, so we

can make use of the heating from the waste plants. In the southern part of Europe they don't make use of the heating from the waste, it just goes out the chimney. Here we use it as a substitute for fossil fuel," Gripwell was quoted as saying by the 'Independent'.

She termed Sweden's policy of importing waste to recycle from other countries like the UK as a

temporary situation.

"There's a ban on landfill in European Union countries, so instead of paying the fine they send it to us as a service. They should and will build their own plants, to reduce their own waste, as we are working hard to do in Sweden," Gripwall said.

"Hopefully there will be less waste and the waste that has to go to incineration should be incinerated in each country.

But to use recycling for heating you have to have district heating or cooling systems, so you have to build the infrastructure for that, and that takes time," she added.

Swedish municipalities are investing in futuristic waste collection techniques, like automated vacuum systems in residential blocks, removing the need for collection transport, and underground container systems that free up road space and get rid of any smells, the report said. -PTI

tions, Mistry's office said: "The structure of the Tata Sons Chairman being the Chairman of key Tata Group operating companies is something that preceded Mr Ratan Tata's time, and an approach he encouraged and perpetuated.

"To say that Mr Mistry concentrated power in his hands across companies is meaningless since Mr Mistry expanded the oversight over his work by focusing on better board effectiveness and getting his work overseen by over 50 independent directors," it said.

The allegation of concentration of power is "new-found wisdom being written after seven

sion-making."

On the claim of conflicts in handling the interests of the SP Group, Mistry's office reiterated that he did not sit on a single Board of the SP group other than his family investment company.

"New engineering and construction contracts from the Tata Group to the SP group came down to nearly zero from the level of Rs 1,100 crore when Mr Mistry had assumed office...Starting with a firm written instruction to Tata Group companies to shun contracts with the SP Group issued in October 2013, Mr Mistry formally appraised the Tata Sons Board on the status every six months."

Tata Trusts have done great work in the past.

"However some of the recent actions by Mr Ratan Tata and his coterie that now runs the Trusts have raised great concern on the ethics that surround decision-making." weeks of failure to come up with any reason for upstaging Mr Mistry", it added.

On almost all Tata Boards there was Tata Group representation, the statement said, citing examples of Ishaat Hussain on Tata Steel and TCS, Nirmalya Kumar and Bhaskar Bhatt on Tata Chemicals, NS Rajan on IHCL, Harish Bhatt on TGBL, as well S Padhmanabhan, Bharat Vasani and F N Subedar "to name a few other Tata Sons representatives on Board of other Tata Companies", the statement by Mistry's office added.

Lashing out at the interim Chairman of Tata Sons, it said: "Mr Ratan Tata's conduct has eroded the Tata Brand and values materially."

The statement further said the Tata Trusts have done great work in the past. "However some of the recent actions by Mr Ratan Tata and his coterie that now runs the Trusts have raised great concern on the ethics that surround deci-

In its letter to the shareholders of Tata group firms, Tata Sons said its Board has been concerned for some time about the financial performance as the holding company's dividend income (other than from TCS) declined continuously and staff costs more than doubled.

"All this would have resulted in losses but for the TCS dividend. Mr Mistry did not show concern about these issues and the increasing dependence of Tata Sons on TCS. The Board could not accept this any further as it had the potential to risk the financial viability of Tata Sons," it said Mistry's office, however, said his family "as the owner of over 18 per cent interest in Tata Sons is as injured by any injury caused to Tata Sons. Far from hurting the Tata Sons businesses intentionally, Mr Mistry is saving the Tata Group from the whimsical ineptitude of Mr Ratan Tata." -PTI

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Non-OPEC oil states agree to cut output VIENNA: Eleven countries have agreed to cut their oil output, teaming up with the OPEC cartel in an exceptional bid to end the world's glut of crude and reverse a dramatic fall in income.

Russia and 10 other non-OPEC states will reduce their production by more than half a million barrels per day (bpd), OPEC announced.

The deal will take effect from the start of 2017 and last for six months, though it may be extended

saturated market and end a price slump that has brutally affected the economies of many oil producers.

On November 30 its members announced a slash in output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) beginning in January, to 32.5 million bpd.

Under that deal, OPEC called on non-member producer states to lower their output by 600,000 bpd.

The deal approves cuts totaling

Russia is among 11 non-OPEC countries which agreed to cut oil output by 558,000 barrels per day

depending on market conditions.

"I am happy to announce that a historic agreement has been reached," said Qatar's Energy Minister Mohammed Bin Saleh AlSada, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The cut will contribute to OPEC's own initiative to ease a

558,000 bpd.

Russia had already signaled it would provide half of that production cut in the first half of 2017.

Among the other countries that will contribute cuts Kazakhstan agreed to reduce production by 20,000 bpd, Mexico 100,000 bpd, Oman 40,000 bpd and Azerbaijan 35,000 bpd, according to Bloomberg.

The deal also includes Malaysia, Bahrain, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, South Sudan and Brunei.

"This is a truly historic event, the first time that so many oil-producing countries are meeting in one room, to accomplish what we've done," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told a press conference.

"In the room we had more than half of the global oil" production, he said.

In a statement following the meeting, OPEC said the other oil giants were working "to achieve oil market stability in the interest of all oil producers and consumers".

A monitoring committee, comprising three OPEC and two nonOPEC members, will now be set up.

Sada said OPEC would continue its efforts to persuade nonOPEC producers to join the reduction effort.

And in another signal to the markets, the cartel's leading producer Saudi Arabia announced that it would go "substantially" beyond its commitment of production cuts made last week.

In a speech to the conference earlier, Novak stressed the plunge in oil prices had led to "severe consequences".

"What the past two months have shown is that there is a growing consensus among producers that the market recovery process has taken far too long... It has had a major impact on all our countries, in terms of economic growth, heavy losses in revenue and deep social spending cuts." -AFP

British PM faces another Brexit challenge LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May will face the prospect of having to deal with yet another legal challenge over Britain's planned exit from the European Union that may upset her plan of leaving the 28-nation bloc.

Campaigners are writing to the government saying they are taking it to the High Court in an effort to keep Britain in the single market.

The claimants will seek a judicial review in an attempt to give Britain's MPs a new power of veto over the terms on which Britain leaves the EU, 'The Sunday Times' reports.

The two claimants are Peter Wilding, the chairman of pressure group British Influence credited with coining the term Brexit and remain voter; and Adrian Yalland, a Conservative lobbyist who voted to leave.

"This is not stopping Brexit, this is shaping it. The country demands a win-win, smart Brexit; not a lose-lose ideological hard Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May

which will damage the UK, damage Europe and for which there is no need and no mandate," Wilding told the newspaper.

The new case follows the same legal path being used in the case that concluded its hearing in the Supreme Court last week.

If they are successful, Parliament would be able to stop May from meeting her plan to trigger Article 50 and begin formal negotiations for Britain's exit from the economic bloc at the end of March 2017.

The government believes Britain automatically exits the single market when it quits the EU, leaving them free to negotiate a new trade deal with Brussels.

But, if the claimants win the new court case, the government would have to gain the approval of MPs over this aspect of exit talks.

The move comes as around 40 rebel MPs from May's own Conservative party, dubbed the "new bastards", prepared to set up a campaign group to fight for a soft Brexit inside the single market. PTI

GST meet inconclusive; Apr 1 target unlikely NEW DELHI: With the Centre and states again failing to sort out contentious issue of dual control of assessees, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollout from April 1 next year is now looking virtually impossible.

The 6th meeting of the all-powerful GST Council was slated to decide on dual control of assesses but the two-day meeting was curtailed to half and even that issue couldn't be discussed because all the time was lost in going clause by clause of the voluminous draft legislations.

While Finance Minister Arun Jaitley did not categorically say that the April 1 target date would be missed, states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu said that meeting the deadline was not possible and GST could be rolled out from September.

"In the draft legislation there are about 195 sections. So it is the core bill of the legislation. We discussed 99 sections and a few clauses need to be redrafted. We would change that during the course of time. Hopefully, in the next meeting we would be able to clear the legislation part," Jaitley said.

The next meeting of the GST Council is scheduled for December 22-23.

Kerala FM Thomas Isaac said demonetization has eroded states' trust. "April 1 deadline is out of picture, GST can be rolled out only

by September".

Tamil Nadu also said that April 1 target was not possible. "Too many sections of law yet to be fi-

nalized, GST can't happen without consensus on dual control," Tamil Nadu Finance Minister said after the meeting.

Jaitley, however, said that Centre stands by the April 1, 2017 target of implementing the GST. "We do not have the discretion of time. By September 16, 2017 the curtains will draw on the old taxation rules," Jaitley said.

With the discussion on model laws and dual control still remain-

Kerala FM Thomas Isaac said demonetization has eroded states' trust. "April 1 deadline is out of picture, GST can be rolled out only by September". ing, the GST legislations - CGST, IGST and compensation law would not be introduced in the ongoing session of Parliament which ends on December 16.

Asked if the delay would derail the process, Jaitley said this time the Budget session will begin from January.

A finance ministry official said that most states too have their Assembly sessions in January and once the Council clears it, the passage of the GST legislations in Parliament and state Assemblies would just be procedural. -PTI

Elanpro sees 30% growth in refrigeration biz KOLKATA: Home-grown Elanpro sees up to 30 per cent rise in its business this fiscal on robust growth of the commercial refrigeration products in the country.

"We are optimistic about commercial refrigeration product market given the growth story of the country in the long-run," Elanpro executive VP Sanjay Jain told PTI. "We are looking at 20-30 per cent growth in the current fiscal despite short term disruption due to demonetization," he said.

The commercial refrigeration product segment is estimated as a Rs 1500 crore market and the company is aiming a significant share controlled by both unorganized and organized players.

Jain said the company is expanding its footprint in the east-

ern region but demonetization has delayed it.

"We will expand in Ranchi, Patna, Guwahati and Siliguri. The new experience zone in Kolkata will help to showcase the product range," he said.

Elanpro offers international range of refrigeration and foodservice solutions for hotels, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, ice cream & beverage, food retail and the healthcare segments.

It recently reached a strategic agreement with leading Italian beverage dispensers SPM on marketing and service capabilities.

This new collaboration called SPM Beverage Dispensers by Elanpro will focus on advancements that address the dynamic requirements of bars, restaurants and retail sector. -PTI

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'Food packed in newspapers poisoning Indians' NEW DELHI: Using newspapers to pack or serve food - a common practice among street vendors - is a safety hazard, according to the country's food regulatory body which has warned that consumers are slowly being poisoned by cancer-causing agents and microbes.

"Wrapping food in newspapers is an unhealthy practice and the consumption of such food is injurious to health, even if the food has been cooked hygienically," The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said in an advisory.

This comes after Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda had directed FSSAI to is-

sue an advisory restricting the use of newspapers as food packaging material.

Foods contaminated by news-

paper ink raise serious health concerns since the ink contains multiple bioactive materials with known negative health effects, the advisory said.

Printing inks may also contain harmful colors, pigments, binders, additives and preservatives. Beside chemical contaminants, presence of pathogenic microorganisms in used newspapers also pose po-

tential risk to human health, according to the advisory.

Newspapers and paper or cardboard boxes made of recycled paper may be contaminated with metallic contaminants, mineral oils and harmful chemicals like the phthalates which can cause digestive problems and also lead to severe toxicity.

Older people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems are at a greater risk of acquiring cancer-related health complications, if they are exposed to food packed in such material.

Newspapers should not be used to wrap, cover and serve

food or to absorb excess oil from fried food.

There is an urgent need to discourage the use of newspaper as food packaging material by creating awareness among businesses, especially unorganized food business operators and consumers on its harmful effects.

Suitable steps need to be taken to restrict control and use of newspapers for packing food material.

The FSSAI has directed Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/Union Territories to initiate systematic campaigns for generating awareness among all the stakeholders to discourage the use of newspapers for packing, serving and storing food items. -PTI

UK to cut student visas by half 'Levy on airlines can disrupt competition'

LONDON: The UK government is finalizing plans to cut annual student visa figures by nearly half, from the current 300,000 to 170,000, a media report said amid a sharp fall in students coming to the country from outside Europe including India.

Some university chiefs are also warning that many Indian students are already being denied visas on minor grounds as part of a wider move to cut immigration into the UK.

nificant decline in the number of non-EU citizens migrating to the UK to study, from 134,000 in the previous year to 111,000...there was a statistically significant decline in citizens of South Asia, with the number coming to study having almost halved," ONS said in its 'Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: August 2016'.

India is the third-largest category in terms of student visa applications after the US and China, with 10,664 granted between June

"International students contribute, directly and indirectly, 14 billion pounds to the UK economy, making higher education one of this country's most valuable exports�

"They are telling some students there is exactly the same quality of course available in India so why are you coming here.

That is outrageous," a UK vicechancellor was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper.

The move comes despite recent UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures indicating there has been a drastic drop in students coming to the UK from outside Europe.

"There was a statistically sig-

2015 and 2016.

"International students contribute, directly and indirectly, 14 billion pounds to the UK economy, making higher education one of this country's most valuable exports...Over the last five years, the number of Indian students attending UK universities has halved. I have consistently asked the government to remove students from the net migration target," said Lord Bilimoria, leading Indian-origin entrepreneur and

Cobra Beer founder, who himself came to the UK as a student.

"We should immediately re-introduce the two-year post-study work visa, which I fought hard to introduce before its withdrawal in 2012, to allow foreign students to implement their much-needed skills here and help boost our economy," he added.

During British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed on the importance of access for Indian students to UK institutions.

"Education is vital for our students and will define our engagement in a shared future. We must therefore encourage greater mobility and participation of young people in educational and research opportunities," PM Modi had told May in his address at the UK India Tech Summit in New Delhi.

However, senior university sources indicate the UK Home Office is on track for some dramatic immigration cuts in student visa numbers. While it has dismissed rumors of an annual cutback of more than two-thirds, the likely cut to around 170,000 seems likely to be enforced.

A UK Home Office spokesperson said: "Claims the Home Office is modeling cuts to reduce international students to a third [ie 100,000 a year] are categorically untrue".

"We want to strengthen the system to support the best universities and those that stick to the rules to attract the best talent.

The British people have sent a clear message that they want more control of immigration and we are committed to getting net migration down to sustainable levels in the tens of thousands," he said. -PTI

GENEVA: Describing India as among the "most open" aviation markets, international airlines grouping IATA's chief has said the country stands to benefit from the regional air connectivity plan but cautioned against imposing levy on carriers which can "disrupt" competitive conditions.

While being appreciative of the Indian government putting in a "consistent plan" for the aviation sector, Alexandre de Juniac also emphasized the need to have the right infrastructure and lower costs for the airlines.

"In general, we are not favoring levies because we think that it is a disruption or disturbance in the competitive conditions," Juniac told PTI in an interview

"Regional connectivity is good for air traffic but using levy, tax or cross subsidy system, let's name it as it is, is not convincing," he said, adding that it is being opposed by many operators as something which would not be efficient.

"We think that if you want to develop regional connectivity, first of all we need to have right infrastructure, airports and the lowest costs. So for us there is a very clear link between the level of cost and the dynamism of aviation, the flow of passengers," Juniac said.

To provide viability gap funding for the flights operated under UDAN, a levy would be imposed on every departure on major air routes such as New Delhi,

here.

His comments come against the backdrop of the government levying up to Rs 8,500 per flight on major routes from December 1 in order to fund its ambitious regional connectivity scheme.

The scheme - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) - seeks to connect small cities by air as well as make flying more affordable for the masses.

Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Under the scheme, fares for one-hour flights would be capped at Rs 2,500.

Juniac took over as the Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in September this year and has already visited India in his new role. The grouping represents more than 265 airlines from across the world. -PTI

Datebook

December 16, 2016

India Post 39

www.indiapost.com

NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, Dec 17 • Bollywood Night Chirstmas Special Venue: Perle Night Club, 13 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Time: 10:00 pm

Fri, Dec 23 • Girls Night Out Venue: Royal Albert's Palace, 1050 King Georges Rd.Fords, New Jersey, NJ 08863 Time: 07:00 pm

Sun, Dec 11 • NJPA New Year's Eve Party, 2017 Venue: Royal Alberts Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Edison, NJ 08863 Time: 07:30 pm

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sun, Dec 18 • Aarambh Concert Series: A duet by Nilima Dave and Poonam Narkar

Sat, Dec 17 • Chicago’s musicians pay tribute to M. S. Subbulakshmi

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's

Venue:

Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807

Sat, Dec 17 • Indian Classical Kathak Dance Workshop with Shivani Badgi Venue: Gibney Dance Studios ,280 Broadway, NEW YORK, NY Time : 12:00 pm

Sat, Dec 17 • Swayamvar - Indian Singles Event Venue: Nirvana,346 Lexington Avenue, NEW YORK, NY Time : 06:00 pm

Sat, Dec 31 • Royal Palace - New Year's Party Venue: Castle Royale, 92 Waverly Street, Yonkers, NY 10701 Time : 08:00 pm

Venue: Western Sky Studio #13 A, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 Time: 07:00 pm

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO

Hammerschmidt

Upcoming

Memorial

Chapel,128 West 1st Street, ELMHURST, IL Time: 7:30 pm

Fri, Dec 23 • Induz Holiday Party - Santa Claus is Coming to Town Venue: Roobaru Restaurant, 36665 Cedar Boulevard, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 4:00 pm

Sun, Dec 18 • BengaluruVoice - New Year Eve 2017 Venue: Vara Indian Cuisine, 250 East Java Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Time: 06:30 pm Contact: 5104024633

Sat, Dec 31 • Block Buster 2017 - Biggest New Year Telugu Party With Sharwanand Venue: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111 Time: 7:00 pm

Sun, Dec 18 • FOG New Year Eve 2017 Venue: Royal Palace Banquet Hall, 6058 Stevenson Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94538 Time: 07:30 pm Contact: 5103045619

Sat, Dec 31 • Fab Four Events - New Years Eve 2017 Venue: Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Road, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 07:30 pm Contact: 4083829117

ATLANTA Upcoming Thu, Dec 29 • WWE Live - PHILIPS ARENA - Atlanta Venue: PHILIPS ARENA ,1 Philips Drive, ATLANTA, GA Time: 7:30 pm

Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes

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

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

Swami Ishatmananda Sat, Dec 31 • New Year Eve in Duluth Venue: Poona Restaurant,3665 Club Drive, DULUTH, GA Time: 7:00 pm

Sat, Dec 31 • Hawaiian style Grand New Year Party 2017 Venue: Skyland 540 Access Rd, Cumming, GA 30041 Time: 8:00 pm

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

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

40 India Post

S

ariska Tiger Reserve is well nestled in the Aravali Hills covering 800 sq km area divided into the grass lands, dry deciduous forests, sheer cliffs and rocky landscape. Whether you want to have camel safaris, go out for shopping in the surrounding places, visit medieval palaces or wildlife watching; Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is the best place for you.

Nearly 90% of the area in the sanctuary is covered with dhok trees accommodating various wildlife species. A variety of other wild animals like the leopard, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur, hyena and jungle cats are found in the Sariska Tiger Reserve apart from the tiger. The Sariska National

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December 16, 2016

Park is home to India's largest population of peafowl, and harbors quail, sand grouse, golden- backed woodpeckers and crested serpent eagles, among other species. Also the Siliserh Lake on the edge of the park has a large number of crocodiles.

The sanctuary houses the ruins of medieval temples of GarhRajor that date back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Also a 17th century castle on a hilltop at Kankwari provides a panoramic view of flying vultures and eagles. The Sariska was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and attained the status of a National Park in

1979.

Wildlife in Sariska Tiger Reserve The Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to a number of carnivores including Leopard, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Jackal, and Tiger. The herbivore category in Sariska includes Sambhar, Chitel, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar and Langur. Sariska wildlife sanctuary is also known for its large population of Rhesus Monkeys.

There are also many bird species in Sariska Tiger Reserve, namely; Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden Backed Wood Pecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl. Cont’d on page 42

December 16, 2016

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30,000-year-old relics discovered in Pak PESHAWAR: Thirty thousand years old 110 sites, including some of Buddhist importance, have been discovered by archaeological department in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Political Agent Khyber Khalid Mehmood told reporters that dis-

coveries have been made by archaeological department with the help of Political Administration and Pakistan Army.

He also said that the survey also disclosed eight sites of significant Buddhist importance.

The archaeological survey was completed in tehsil Jamrud of Khyber Agency within a period of 75 days that resulted in discovery of thirty thousand years old 110

ancient sites.

A variety of relics including images and paintings carved on stones were found in the sites.

The remnant of mosques, forts, gallows, tunnels and other buildings of Ameer Taimur period were discovered from the sites during excavation.

"Surveys were also conducted in these areas during British rule but they failed to achieve any success. Though deep excavation has not been conducted but we discovered sites with the evidence having historic value of thirty thousand years," Mehmood said.

It is a major achievement that would help boost economic and tourism activities in tribal areas. Efforts are underway to establish archaeology department in FATA Secretariat.

An archaeologist said that in past militancy hindered our efforts to conduct archaeological survey in FATA. He said that it is our utmost desire to excavate more sites in FATA with the help of political administration for identifying Buddhist relics besides establishing museums in these areas.-PTI

Lonely Planet names Asheville best in US

T

he travel guidebook publisher Lonely Planet has picked Asheville, North Carolina, as its top U.S. destination for 2017, despite a state law limiting LGBT rights that has led companies, entertainers and others to boycott the state.

Lonely Planet gave Asheville the No. 1 slot on its ``Best of U.S.'' list despite the LGBT controversy because the city ``has always been an open, welcoming place, and continues to be after the legislation,'' Lonely Planet magazine managing editor Rebecca Warren said. She added that ``while Lonely Planet doesn't condone the political exclusion of others,'' Asheville ``thrives on diversity and tolerance. The city has many LGBT-owned businesses and there has been an outpouring of support this year for its LGBT communities, including signs cropping up around the city saying `Y'all means all.'''

After the state passed the law known as House Bill 2, the NCAA relocated championship games out of the state, Bruce Springsteen

canceled a concert and PayPal reversed plan to open an operations center in Charlotte.

Other destinations on Lonely Planet's top 10 ``Best in the US'' list are Western Washington; Lincoln, Nebraska; California's southern desert region; Montana's Flathead Valley; Atlanta; New York's Adirondack Mountains; the Texas Hill Country wine region; Denver;

and Florida's ``Emerald Coast.''

Asheville has become a travel hotspot in the last few years, thanks to its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains and attractions like the Biltmore mansion, North Carolina Arboretum, a sophisti-

cated restaurant and brewery scene and the River Arts District, an old industrial neighborhood revitalized by artists and entrepreneurs.

Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau executive director Stephanie Brown said the city has a ``long history as a warm and welcoming place'' that makes it worthy of the Lonely Planet honor.

Christopher Sgro, executive director of the LGBT organization North Carolina Equality and a member of N o r t h Carolina's General Assembly representing Greensboro, said in a phone interview that Asheville residents and leaders ``are welcoming and try to create a progressive community, so I understand why Lonely Planet would want others to enjoy the city.'' -AP

Aadhaar must for sr citizen rail tickets NEW DELHI: Come April 1, 2017, reservation of rail tickets for senior citizens will be directly linked to Aadhaar or Unique Identification (UID) cards on a mandatory basis for availing concessions at both counter and e-tickets.

However, such a requirement will be optional during JanuaryMarch 2017.

Railway Ministry has decided to implement Aadhaarbased ticketing system for senior citizens in a two-phased manner.

Accordingly, from January 1 to March 31, 2017, requirement of Aadhaar verification for getting concessional tickets for senior citizens will be on a voluntary basis.

From April 1, 2017, such a requirement would become mandatory.

"The linking of Aadhaar cards with train tickets for senior citizens is a salutary measure designed to streamline the reservation process for people in such a category.

"This is a most ambitious push to Aadhaar-based ecosystem in Indian Railways network that would end fraudulent bookings and curb cases of impersonation.

In future, all ticket bookings will require an Aadhaar card," IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director A K Manocha said.

The advance verification of senior citizens through Aadhaar card has already been taken up by providing notice to these passengers to submit their Aadhaar card details online on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or through the reservation offices from December 1 this year onwards.

With effect from April 1, 2017, passengers in the senior citizen category will need to carry any of the original documents, including Aadhaar card, for the purpose of identity proof, he said.

However, verification will be optional during the implementation of the first phase if a senior citizen wants to purchase ticket on full fare. But there will be no change in procedure with regard to concession to senior citizens in unre-

served ticketing.

"It will bring in transparency in rail ticket reservations for senior citizens, making the verification process easy and convenient. It will also prevent misuse of such a facility as ticket collectors can instantly verify the claims of passengers.

"Our objective is to ensure that only bona fide passengers with legitimate tickets travel in trains and thereby prevent revenue losses to Indian Railways," he said.

A major benefit of Aadhaarlinked rail reservations for senior citizens is that it will stop touts and unauthorized agents from booking tickets in fake names and then selling these at a higher price.

The procedure for authentication of Aadhaar details on the IRCTC website is quite easy. One has to log in using his/her User ID and password on the IRCTC ticketing website.

Then they have to click on

'Master List' under 'My Profile' Menu.

While adding new senior citizen passengers in the Master List, they need to provide correct and complete details like name, date of birth and gender as mentioned in the Aadhaar Card. Thereafter, they have to select Senior Citizen Concession Option as Yes/No, ID card type and provide Aadhaar number.

As a next step, they have to click on 'Add Passenger' button to add senior citizen passenger and authenticate Aadhaar details. Passengers will be then added in the Master List after verifying their details.-PTI

42 India Post

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Cont’d from page 40

SPECIALATTRACTIONS The Kankwari Fort: The major historic structure within the Sariska National Park includes the Kankwari Fort where Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother, Dara Shikoh.

The Ancient Shiva Temples: The Neelkanth Temples within the Sariska Tiger Sanctuary date back to the 6th 13th century AD, though in dilapidated condition, is a must visit.

The Sariska Palace: The Maharajas of Alwar built the Sariska Palace standing amidst the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. The Palace has now been converted into a hotel.

Jeep Safari: The best way to explore the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is by jeep which can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on Jaipur Road. You can even book a `hide' overlooking one of the water holes, and also provides an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing and wildlife photography within the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.

SARISKA

Wildlife safaris, medieval palaces & even shopping

WHEN TO VISIT As such, the Sariska Tiger Reserve can be visited throughout the year; still the best time to have Sariska tour is from October - June and January - February. Certain jungle tracks are closed during the monsoon and the breeding season just to safeguard the animals and the reserve. If you can tolerate heat, April to June is ideal to catch-hold of the animals at the waterholes.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit this beautiful countryside is between November and June. One can see the most of the animals in the evening.

HOW TO REACH

By Air: The nearest airport from Sariska National Park is at Jaipur.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Alwar at a distance of 37-kms.

By Road: Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the Delhi-Jaipur highway near Jaipur and Delhi. Sariska is also well connected with Alwar.

The best way to explore the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is by jeep which can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on Jaipur Road. You can even book a `hide' overlooking one of the water holes, and also provides an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing and wildlife photography within the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary

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Civil airport planned for Rajouri in J&K JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali has said the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has planned to construct a civil airport in the border district of Rajouri.

A delegation led by the minis-

point of view and eyeing the present security scenario.

The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the PM in this regard during the meeting.

The construction of the airport, to be spread in 1,150 Kanals (144 acres) of land at Rajouri, has not been started yet, he said.

It demanded permanent mechanism for safety of people and urged the Centre to provide special financial assistance to the state for constructing permanent in-house bunkers besides community bunkers. ter called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament Secretariat in New Delhi to highlight demands pertaining to the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

Demanding restoration of air service from the districts, he apprised the Prime Minister that airconnectivity at Rajouri and Poonch was vital from security

Apart from restoration of air service from Rajouri, their demands included special package for victims of border shelling, starting construction of the Jammu Rajouri-Poonch railway line, fourlaning of Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch Highway, and National Highway status to Mughal Road.

Besides they demanded special employment package for unem-

Boy Scouts to relocate national museum ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.: From merit badges and uniforms to an impressive collection of Norman Rockwell paintings and drawings, the Boy Scouts of America will be

packing up more than a century of scouting history and taking it to the wilds of northern New Mexico.

The organization announced

that it'll move its national museum from its current home in Texas to the Philmont Scout Ranch, which has served as an adventure destination for generations of troops and their families.

Plans calls for expanding the existing Philmont Museum and Seton Memorial Library to make room for a collection that includes more than 600,000 items and reams of historical documents and photographs.

Construction is expected to start next year.

With the ranch hosting more than 32,000 visitors each year, officials say more people will get to see the national collection. -AP

ployed youth of the twin districts and harnessing lakes in Pir Panchal area for tourism.

The Prime Minister assured them the issues will be looked into, Ali said.

The memorandum states the prevailing situation along the LoC is adding to the miseries of the people of Poonch and Rajouri who are witnessing death and destruction every day.

There is a need to frame a comprehensive policy for rehabilitation of people residing along LoC and are affected by cross firing and shelling, the memorandum said.

It demanded permanent mechanism for safety of people and urged the Centre to provide special financial assistance to the state for constructing permanent inhouse bunkers besides community bunkers.

Explaining hardships faced by people in these districts, the delegation demanded adequate compensation for loss of lives and property and railway connectivity for the development of the region.PTI

Indian who walked 1,000 km for justice NEW DELHI: An Indian man who had walked a distance of 1,000 km over a period of two years to attend court proceedings in Dubai just to obtain a flight ticket to home has been brought back.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said government has helped Jagannathan Selvaraj, who hails from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, to return to his village.

"We have brought him back to India and sent him to his village. He went up and down to the court 20 times over a year.

That made it 1000 km," Swaraj tweeted.

The External Affairs Minister, undergoing treatment at AIIMS for kidney failure, had sought a report from Indian Consulate in Dubai following media reports about Selvaraj.

A bus trip to the court in Karama area costs a few dirhams, but Selvaraj did not have money to travel by bus and was forced to spend two hours for a one-way trip and another two hours for the return journey after every court hearing.-PTI

Bundi experiencing low footfall of tourists BUNDI, Rajasthan: Demonetization of high-value currency notes has affected the tourism industry here with the city experiencing a low footfall of tourists during this peak season.

"Demonetization has certainly adversely affected the tourism industry, with the city experiencing a low footfall of tourists in the peak season," Assistant Tourist Officer

Asserting that efforts are being made to facilitate foreign as well as domestic tourists with new currency notes from banks, Saini said, "The district collector has asked the branch manager of a public sector bank here to facilitate tourists with banknotes without letting them wait in queue."

If tourists come to our office for new currency notes, we will man-

Prem Shankar Saini said.

The city, located amid the Aravalli Hills, sees maximum tourist footfall between November and March.

However, this time, tourism industry stakeholders are bracing for poor business with small hotels, taxi services, restaurants and vendors likely to be worst hit by demonetization.

"Foreign and domestic tourists after attending Pushkar Mela visit Bundi Utsav. But this time, due of demonetization, we have hardly had any tourist groups," Arun Sharma, a guest house owner, said.

age it through the bank branch, he said. According to a tourism department report, the city has seen a constant fall in the number of foreign and domestic tourists after 2011.

In 2011, the city was visited by 17,148 foreign and 58,001 domestic tourists, while in 2012 it fell to 16,524 foreign and 50,788 domestic tourists.

In 2013, the number of foreign and domestic tourists who visited the city stood at 15,740 and 50,539 respectively. This year, till October, 11,263 foreign and 45,404 domestic tourists visited the city.-PTI

Rajasthan to renovate 11 religious sites JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has prepared detailed project reports for the renovation of 11 religious places in the state.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has said the government was working to make the state a hub of religious tourism and took up the

project to renovate 11 religious places.

Addressing public in a temple in Nagaur district, Raje said that the government has planned to develop one religious place in every district so that religious tourism could be promoted.-PTI

„ Health

Line

Ayurvedic patients can seek health cover NEW DELHI: Patients subscribing to Ayurveda for treatment will also be able to seek health cover as the Centre has issued guidelines to insurance companies to this effect, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

Patients at Central and state government hospitals, ayurvedic hospitals accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) or registered with a government authority will be eligible for health cover, MoS for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

The guidelines specify 20 different kinds of ailments that can be included in a health insurance scheme. It also lists the cost of different kinds of therapies in order to provide benchmarks for calculating treatment expenditure to settle an insurance claim.

According to the ministry, these guidelines are the outcome of consultations among Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), Ayurvedic Hospitals Association and Insurance Companies.-PTI

AIIMS for linking of Aadhaar with UHID NEW DELHI: AIIMS has written to the Union Health Ministry requesting it to issue a notification that would mandate linking of Aadhaar number with the Unique Health Identification (UHID) number.

Till date, nearly 40 lakh patients have generated UHID's since the e-Hospital software was launched in July 2015 at AIIMS. The UHID number is a single point of reference for all patient activities in AIIMS. AIIMS Director M C Mishra has written to the Union Health Secretary requesting him to issue a notification that would mandate individual authentication for generation of UHID numbers.

"The e-Hospital software envisages patient identification based on individual authentication from an Aadhaar number.

Although the software provides for an interface between Aadhaar number and UHID number, it has not been made mandatory till date.

"With the Parliament enacting the Aadhaar Act 2016, a legal provision for mandatory linkage between Aadhaar number and UHID number is possible through a notification issued under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act 2016. -PTI

Health Science

Democrats blast plan for miners' healthcare

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Details on Page 47

Center to continue use of 51 out of 67 banned pesticides NEW DELHI: The Center has told the Delhi High Court that it has decided to continue the use of 51 out of the 67 pesticides that have been banned world over, based on the recommendations of an expert panel.

The Ministry of Agriculture submitted before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal that the decision to continue the use of the 51 pesticides was taken based on the recommendations of the expert panel.

The government said that of the 51, use of 27 pesticides shall be reviewed in 2018.

The Centre also said that though the panel had recommended phasing out of six pesticides out of the 51 by the year 2020, any final decision would be taken after going through the objections and suggestions invited from general public and other stakeholders.

Objections and suggestions have also been invited regarding the recommended complete ban of 13 other pesticides, the ministry

In view of the submissions made by the government, the petitioner who had sought immediate ban of some the pesticides

told the bench.

The government, however, has accepted the panel's recommendation to ban use of one pesticide, fenitrothion, in agriculture.

withdrew his PIL to file a fresh one challenging setting up of the panel and for constituting a fresh one.

The Centre, in its report placed before the court, has said that ban

on Endosulfan would continue as it was ordered by the Supreme Court.

Regarding use of DDT, the ministry has said that it was being used by health departments in limited quantities for vector (mosquito) control programs and any final decision to ban it would be taken after receiving comments of Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ & S).

The petitioner, K V Biju had alleged "conflict of interest" against the expert committee for having representatives from the pesticide industry who, it claimed, had vested commercial interest.

It had contended that the panel had "heavily relied" upon the inputs of these members from the pesticide industry.

As per the petition, the expert panel was set up by the Agriculture Ministry to look into 67 pesticides which were banned in other countries but continued to be used in India. -PTI

India can be malaria free by 2030 NEW DELHI: A global advisory group on malaria has said India has the highest malaria burden in the Asia Pacific region but claimed vigorous action and renewed efforts in all states can make India reach the historic goal of malaria-freedom by 2030.

"India's recent success in eliminating polio shows what can be done when political commitment is strong. With vigorous action in the low-burden states and renewed efforts in all states, India can reach the historic goal of malaria-freedom by 2030," said Sir Richard Feachem who directs the Global Health Group - The Malaria Elimination Group - at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

It said under-reporting of confirmed malaria cases in India makes it "challenging" to accurately estimate its true burden and asserted that actual number

of cases could be between 9-50 times higher than what has been reported by the government's vector program.

The group is meeting in Chennai to discuss strategies to shrink the global malaria map and take stock of India's efforts to eliminate the disease.

Senior officials of the government, WHO, Ministries of Health of malaria-endemic countries in Asia and Africa and others will take part in it.

The group said that strong political and programmatic leadership, along with increased financial commitment and strengthened

regional collaboration, are crucial to eliminating malaria in India by 2030.

With the support of many partners, India has experienced a remarkable decline in malaria cases, Feachem said. According to WHO, the country has nearly halved the number of reported malaria cases between 2000 and 2014, from 2 million to 1.1 million.

"However, under-reporting of confirmed cases makes it challenging to accurately estimate true burden and populations at risk.

Multiple independent reports suggest that actual malaria cases

could be between nine and 50 times greater than those reported

by India's National Vector Borne Disease Program (NVBDCP), and malaria-related deaths could be 13 times higher," it said.

Noting that some states and union territories (UTs) are clearly on the path to elimination while others are not, the group said that 15 low- and 11 moderateburden states/UTs are targeting elimination by 2022.

The group said that in 2014, five out of 36 states/UTs contributed to more than 70 per cent of the total malaria cases in the country - Odisha (36 per cent, Chhattisgarh (12 per cent), Jharkhand (9 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (9 per cent) and Maharashtra (5 per cent) while two states that have demonstrated success in malaria control are Punjab and Tamil Nadu. PTI

Health Science Post

December 16, 2016

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Compulsory licensing for all tobacco products NEW DELHI: With a view to addressing public health issues, government is considering to bring manufacture of other tobacco products like khaini, tobacco blended pan masala, hookah or gooduku tobacco, zarda and bidis under the ambit of compulsory

licensing. A proposal for bringing manufacture of "other tobacco products" under the ambit of compulsory licensing is under consideration with a view to address public health issues, Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Rajya

Sabha.

These tobacco products include khaini, tobacco blended pan masala, hookah or gooduku tobacco, zarda, bidis and other chewable/eatable tobacco related items, she added. The Minister said initial stakeholder consultations were held with Central Board

Govt committed to zero TB deaths: Nadda NEW DELHI: The government is committed to achieving zero tuberculosis (TB) deaths in the country by ensuring affordable and quality healthcare to all, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said here.

He said this at a round-table for Members of Parliament, policy makers and eminent tuberculosis experts, hosted by the Global Coalition Against TB at Parliament House Annexe here. "#GoI is committed to achieving zero TB deaths in as short a timeframe as possible by ensuring affordable & quality healthcare to all.

"My heartfelt wishes to the entire team of Global Coalition for working on tuberculosis (TB) control in India and globally," Nadda later said in a series of tweets.

Tuberculosis epidemic in India is "larger" than what was previously estimated, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently said while asserting that the country is one of six nations which accounted for 60 per

cent of new TB cases last year.

The Global Tuberculosis Report, 2016, released here, however, said the number of TB deaths and incidences rate continue to

J P Nadda

fall globally as well as in India.

According to reports, WHO statistics for last year give an estimated incidence figure of 2.2 million cases of TB for India out of a global incidence of 9.6 million cases. -PTI

GOP won't curb workers' health care LANSING, Mich.: Majority Republicans could face bankruptcy from retiree health have abandoned - for now -legislation that bills. ``We need to be very thoughtful about would have eliminated health insurance for something of this kind of consequence.'' newly hired municipal workers and closed Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, said it the pension system to new teachers, remov- was ``shocking'' that Republicans proposed ing highly contentious items from the ``such a reckless plan to rob public employpostelection agenda and turning their at- ees of their health care, and force even curtention toward bills with widespread sup- rent retirees to pay more for it.'' port.

GOP House Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, said it was Speaker Kevin Cotter, a main ``shocking'' that Republicans proposed sponsor of the ``such a reckless plan to rob public employhealth plan, said local gov- ees of their health care, and force even ernments' $11 current retirees to pay more for it.'' billion in unfunded liabilities are a problem that is ``only A panel did advance one bill that is aimed going to get worse,'' but more work is needed at shedding light on the extent to which each on all but one of the 13 bills. His decision county, city, township and village is precame on a day hundreds of police and funding retiree health costs. firefighters protested the legislation outside Meanwhile, the GOP-controlled Senate the Capitol. dropped a bill that would have switched ``We need to take more time,'' said Cot- newly hired school employees from a comter, who is leaving the House under term bined pension-401(k) benefit into solely a limits and has warned that municipalities 401(k) plan. -AP

of Excise and Customs, NITI Aayog, Department of Commerce, Tobacco Board, Ministry of Labor & Employment, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and office of Development Commissioner, Micro Small & Medium Enterprises.

Comments on the proposal have been

sought from concerned central ministries/ departments, state governments and union territories, Sitharaman said. "In addition, information of existing production capacity in respect of these items has also been sought for from the State Governments and Union Territories," the Minister said.

Domestic tobacco products makers including ITC have been advocating compulsory licensing of all cigarette-making units irrespective of size, and rise in customs duty on imported cigarettes to rates fixed by the World Trade Organization.

In June, ITC said high incidence of taxation and "a discriminatory regulatory regime" on cigarettes in India have led to a shift in tobacco consumption to lightly taxed or tax-evaded tobacco products, including bidi, khaini, chewing tobacco, gutkha and illegal cigarettes, which constitute over 89 per cent of India's tobacco consumption. -PTI

Health Science Post

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December 16, 2016

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Trial over mental health care in prisons MONTGOMERY, Ala.: Testimony began in a civil lawsuit over mental health treatment in Alabama's prison system with a troubled inmate telling a federal judge a corrections officer handed him a razor blade and suggested he use it to commit suicide.

Jamie Wallace, 24, took the stand on the first day of what is expected to be a lengthy, non-jury trial before U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson.

Attorneys representing inmates in a class-action lawsuit claim that mental health care provided in Alabama prisons is so poor it violates the Constitution.

The state denies the claims.

The Montgomery Advertiser reported that Wallace, who was held at Donaldson prison near Birmingham and suffers from bipolar disorder, ADHD, mild retardation

told me they couldn't afford Wellbutrin,'' Wallace said.

The new medications caused his temperament to decline.

Wallace testified that he cut his wrists and neck multiple times and tried to hang himself, and that an officer enabled him to do so by providing him a razor. ``(Officer Hill) said, `You want to kill yourself? Here, do it with this,''' he said.

Mitesh Shah, an attorney representing the defendants, began laying the groundwork to impeach Wallace as a credible witness. ``You testified that you haven't seen a psychiatrist in six months.

That's not true, is it? You have met with psychiatrists and counselors many, many times, haven't

The trial is the latest complication for Alabama's troubled prison system. Under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for prison conditions, Alabama prisons house nearly twice the inmates they were originally designed to hold. and schizophrenia, testified that he wasn't asked about his mental health status when he first entered prison.

He said he was taken off his Wellbutrin prescription, which helped him not hear voices in his head, and placed on a different medication for a 30-day trial period. ``(Physicians at Donaldson)

you?'' Shah asked.

Wallace answered that he was only seen by mental health professionals after he had been put in a crisis cell. ``Until I come to that crisis cell (mental health professionals) ain't coming to see me worth a damn, sir,'' Wallace said.

Shah did not get to complete

his cross-examination because Thompson had the prisoner removed from the witness stand so Wallace could ``calm down.''

The trial is the latest complica-

tion for Alabama's troubled prison system. Under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for prison conditions, Alabama prisons house nearly twice the inmates they were originally designed to hold.

The state - while acknowledging the system's problems with crowding - has vigorously disputed the accusation of constitutionally inadequate medical care.

In a statement, prison system lawyer Bill Lunsford said evidence would show ``consistent and systematic care provided to inmates who have been diagnosed with mental disorders.'' -AP

Knox Medical to distribute pot in Florida TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: Knox Medical is the fourth organization to receive authorization to distribute low-THC medical marijuana in the state of Florida.

Florida's Department of Health gave the Winter Garden-based organization authorization. Knox Medical spokesman Adam Sharon says they expect to begin in-home delivery to patients soon.

Knox's approval is the first since Amendment 2 was passed overwhelmingly by voters last month.

The amendment broadened access to pot beyond the limited therapeutic uses approved by the state legislature two years ago.

Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri says 208 physicians and 1,150 patients are currently in the state registry for ordering and using medical marijuana. -AP

Infant dies due to hospital 'negligence' NEW DELHI: Parents of a 20- after repeated requests, the hosday-old infant, who died due to pital authorities informed her paralleged medical negligence, have ents that she has urinary tract infiled a complaint at the Saket po- fection. lice station here against a private The infant was shifted to anhospital. other hospital at Saket on the same R K Mecolt Singh filed the plea night as the previous hospital was against the hospital, where his not equipped to handle the case, daughter allegedly got urinary tract infection while being under neonatal intensive care af- The infant was shifted to ter she was taken there another hospital at Saket on for a routine check up, six days after her birth. the same night as the previAccording to the ous hospital was not complaint, Wahengbam Reenaka Devi delivered equipped to handle the case her baby at the hospital on November 15 and was discharged on November 20. the complaint said, adding she The complaint further claimed died on December 5. that the infant was admitted to the The parents alleged that the same hospital on November 26 af- doctor's "negligence and total calter the doctors identified high lousness" had resulted in the billurubin count during routine "cruel fate" of an otherwise check up. healthy and normal baby.

It was further alleged that the Police said a board of doctors parents were not informed about will be constituted to look into any the baby's deteriorating health for medical negligence for filing an three days and on November 29, FIR in this case. -PTI

Aditya Birla insurance eyes 10 pc mkt share KOLKATA: Newly-formed Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company is eyeing a market share of around 10 per cent over the next five years, an official said.

"As a new entrant in a cluttered market, we will be happy if we are able to garner eight to 10 per cent market share over the next four to five years," CEO of Aditya Birla Health Insurance Mayank Bathwal said.

The company, a JV with MMI Holdings of South Africa, started operations four months back. It has come up with a policy targeting customers with pre-existing

diseases like diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol and hypertension.

He said the policy did not have any waiting period and all domiciliary expenses would also be reimbursed by taking a rider, including consultation fees.

The total health insurance market size in the country was Rs 27,000 crore, he said, adding that the retail sector was growing faster. The company also launched a regular policy on health insurance which has waiting period and other normal features, Bathwal added. -PTI

Illinois nurse stole drugs meant for patients SPRINGFIELD, Ill.: A 32-yearold nurse has been sentenced for illegally using drugs she falsely claimed she administered to patients at a central Illinois health facility.

A statement from Illinois State Police says a judge sentenced Tracy Long to two years’ probation and 30 hours of community service. The Pekin woman was also

ordered to participate in a substance-abuse program.

Long was working as a nurse at Maple Lawn Healthcare in Eureka when she reported that she administered Alprazolam and Hydrocodone to residents on Sept.

4 of last year. But an investigation by a state police Medicaid fraud bureau turned up surveillance footage contradicting that. -AP

December 16, 2016

Health Science Post

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Democrats blast plan for miners' healthcare WASHINGTON: Senate Democrats have blasted a proposal by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to temporarily protect health care benefits for thousands of retired coal miners.

The benefits are set to expire at the end of the year, and McConnell said he is working with House Speaker Paul Ryan to include money for the miners in a short-term spending bill slated for a vote.

But Democrats said the GOP solution only lasts for a few months and does not protect pension benefits that also are at risk.

McConnell's proposal would pay for miners' health care for the next four months by seizing money from their current health-care plan, Democrats said. ``The Republican leader is turning his back on American coal miners,'' said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

Brown and other Democrats said they will push for a bipartisan bill that would protect retirement and health-care benefits for about 120,000 retired coal miners and their families.

Republicans have blocked a vote on the bill on the Senate floor. McConnell and other GOP leaders are wary of bailing out unionized workers, with some arguing that all coal miners should get the help.

Some Republicans also say the bill could

pressure Congress to offer similar help to other cash-strapped pension funds. Their opposition was criticized by Brown and

earned and save taxpayers money in the process, but Washington leaders chose to pull a bait and switch instead,'' Brown said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington.

He’s urging colleagues to pass a stopgap spending plan

other Democrats. ``We had the chance to protect the retirement and health care coal miners have

``This is everything that's wrong with Washington.''

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he would block other bills on the Senate floor until miners get their full health care and pension money - about $3 billion over the

next 10 years. Manchin warned colleagues they may have to stay through Christmas unless the issue is resolved.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Manchin said retired miners deserve benefits that are now at risk amid the coal industry's steep decline and bankruptcies of several large mining companies. Without congressional intervention, some of the funds could run out of cash by next year, according to the United Mine Workers of America. ``We are the country that we are because of the hard work that they've done,'' Manchin said, referring to miners in his state and across Appalachia. ``If we don't stand for the people that have made our country as great as it is, we stand for nothing,'' Manchin said.

McConnell said his plan would protect benefits for miners suffering from what he called the Obama administration's ``war on coal,'' combined with ``challenges within the energy market (that) have led to a dramatic increase in bankruptcies and lost coal jobs, exhausting the health benefits of thousands of coal workers and retirees.''

While he recognizes the plan ``will not solve the challenges of every coal miner or retiree in Kentucky, this provision will help address many of the health care needs of thousands of miners who fell victim to the steep downturn in coal production,'' McConnell said. -AP

Health care field has highest paying jobs

O

verseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the field of health care have the highest paying jobs, with a monthly average salary of PHP111,620 (US$2,250).

In particular, those who are specializing in pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology have the highest salary across OFW (Overseas Foreign Worker) jobs, according to a report by Workabroad.ph.

The same report noted that such coun-

The highest salary for health care workers in the UAE is logged at PHP253,826 a month, followed by Canada and New Zealand at PHP172,500 a month, and UK at PHP153,333 a month. (1PH is about .27 Canadian) Overseas demand for health care workers is also strong, according to the report that was done from January to September this year.

tries as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada, New Zealand, and United Kingdom give the highest salary for health care professionals.

Health care jobs shared 11 percent of the 117,000 jobs posted at WorkAbroad.ph over the period.

-Courtesy South Asian Post

Horoscope

48 India Post

December 16, 2016

www.indiapost.com

Dec 16th - Dec 22nd 2016 Please send your birthday, place of birth and time, so I can give you your zodiac sign, according to Vedic astrology. Send to Jaysastrology@gmail.com

T

he professional matters face obstructions.The promotions/recognition may be delayed. The students need more efforts.The health of father needs extra care. It is better to avoid haste and conflicts. Avoid unnecessary driving and take care of your health. Patience is the Mantra for you up to September 2017. Can start new relationship or business venture you wanted.

ome of you may get opportunity for travel.Those who are looking for marriage may get good proposal.

Those who are in international trading may get good opportunities. The business income is likely to pick up.Social interaction and communication is ok.The health of the parents needs care.Avoid conflicting situations up to February 2017, and take continued care.

T

he professional matters face obstructions. Manage obstructions and conflicts with patience. Silence is golden.Keep new ventures pending.Avoid manipulations.

Some of you may plan a journey. Child may need help.

Avoid haste, speculation, aggressive behaviour and unnecessary driving. Enemies are likely to trouble. Conflicts will put you to harm. Relationships wise, don't get in conflcts.

he professional matters face some obstructions.

Child needs extra care focus on them. Some losses and extra expenses are likely. It is better to avoid unnecessary driving. Don't get involved in gambling or in stock market. Relationships face setback and obstructions even tempers fly. In cases like this be calm and patience.

Avoid colors grey, blue, yellow and red.

S

T

P

he professional matters look ok, at work stay focused. The promotion is likely for those whose birth planets are strong. Some additional expenses are likely. Stay away from manipulations, people trying to cheat you or take advantage of you. It is better to avoid new ventures.

Look after younger sibling.

Avoid short journey. The child may need help focus on them.

T

rofessional matters look better.Those of you who have strong birth planets may get a promotion. Some gains are likely in property matters.

Health of parents may cause concern, pay attention to them. Better to avoid unnecessary driving. Avoid risky behavior avoid being at wrong place at wrong time.

Happiness from male child is seen. Spend some family time.

he professional matters look better. Some of you are likely to be promoted, for those who have strong chart.

Avoid haste and conflicts. Students and those who are appearing in selections have better chance of success.Relatinoship put on hold as it leads to conflcts.

Even new ventures keep pending. Look after younger sibling. Family may take a trip for vacation.

T

he professional matters look ok.The mental peace and patience help in managing the situation. Stay away from manipulations.

Some additional expenses are likely.Silence is golden for you. Better to avoid conflicts.

There can be arguments in household. Don't invest in real estate or expenses for whose who owns real estate. Resolve your problems with law and end them.

T

T

T

P

T

he professional matters look better.Work with patience and avoid conflicts.

Keep new ventures pending.

Your health needs proper attention.The week may involve some additional expenses.

Some problems may surface in inheritance matters. Avoid haste, aggressive behaviour, conflicts, unnecessary expenses and driving/travel.

Handle obstructions and relationship matters with care.

rofessional matters look better. Additional expenses are likely. Child may bring happiness. The new business opportunities should be put on hold up to January, 2017. The week is good for students. Avoid speculation investing in stock market. Always invest in safe assets. Patience is the best medicine up to January, 2017.

Romance wise is good, ladies can be surprised by partner.

he professional matters look ok.Obstructions are likely in the sources of income. Manage obstructions with patience.It is better to avoid manipulations or people trying to take advantage of you. Avoid unnecessary driving be vigiliant avoid risky behaviors. The transit planetary influences can bring sudden mishaps and setbacks. Relationship can cause setbacks, stay calm be patience.

he professional matters look ok.Some business related journey is seen.Some additional expenses are likely.Your health is vulnerable, take care.Manage things with patience. Focus on father health. Argument about fortune can be seen.

Older siblings and highly placed friends should avoid risky activities and be careful driving. Romance wise emotions are involved.

This weekly horoscope is more focused and accurate as these are based on ascending signs. The ascending sign is worked out on the basis of your date, time and place of birth. You will find the predictions at other places based on your Sun sign or Moon sign. The Sun remains in one sign of zodiac for one month whereas the Moon remains in one sign for about 54 hours. It is the ascending sign, which changes every couple of hours." That is how this site offers you more focused predictions.

JATIN P - ACHARYA MIHIR • JAYSASTROLOGY@GMAIL.COM • 630-675-7148

December 16, 2016

India Post 49 www.indiapost.com

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Realty Tidbits

Salem to buy Yaquina Hall for $520,000 SALEM, Ore: The city of Salem is buying a historic building on the Oregon State Hospital campus, and hopes to transform it into affordable housing.

The Statesman Journal reports the city is buying Yaquina Hall from the state for about $523,000.

The Salem Housing Authority plans to apply for $750,000 in federal community development block grant money to help fund renovations.

The goal is to create 50 affordable units for low and moderate income seniors, disabled people and families. Rents would be about $600 a month.

Yaquina Hall was built in 1947.

It housed nurses before turning into office space.-AP

Rhode Island tax credit yields building project PROVIDENCE, RI: Construction crews are beginning work on Rhode Island's first building project to benefit from a new state tax credit.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for The Commons at Providence Station. It will be a 6story residential building with 169 apartments. The project is being built off Canal Street near the city's train station, the Rhode Island State House and the Roger Williams National Memorial.

The state has agreed to provide a $5.6 million tax credit to the project. It's a new credit the state created last year to encourage real estate development. The credit is awarded to developers once a building gets a certificate of occupancy.

The Providence Journal reports that the apartments are expected to rent for $2,000 to $2,700 a month when they open in 2018.-AP

Key West plans new affordable housing KEY WEST, Fla: Key West is considering planning changes that would encourage more affordable housing along with density.

The Key West Citizen reported that the city's planning department will hold four workshops over the coming months to get public feedback. Under the proposal, new developments will be required to have more units dedicated to very low-income and low-income residents.-AP

Real Estate 50 India Post

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December 16, 2016

Handicapped-accessible housing pact signed JACKSON, Miss: Developers of six housing complexes in Mississippi have agreed to make the homes more accessible to people with disabilities.

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in May 2014 against Ike W. Thrash, Dawn Properties Inc., Southern Cross Construction Company Inc. and other affiliated companies. The suit said they violated the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A trial was set for next month. Under a settlement, the developers will pay $350,000 and make bathrooms more usable and provide curb ramps and accessible parking.-AP

Canada's Brookfield buying 4 mn sq ft space in Powai, Mumbai

I

ndian cities offer Asia's best real-estate investments next year says a new survey as Canadian pension funds and asset manager pour millions into the sub-continent.

The new survey has ranked Bangalore and Mumbai as the region's top picks, vaulting both Indian cities to top a table of 22 Asian markets.

The survey, compiled by the Urban Land Institute with input from PricewaterhouseCoopers, cited a boom in business process outsourcing, or BPO, and IT firms that are driving demand for new office space, reported Bloomberg.

"There is little doubt that catering to the expansion requirements of the Indian BPO industry has delivered big profits to investors who arrived early on the scene," said a report summarizing the findings of the survey.

The two cities ranked 12th and 13th last year and were close to the bottom as recently as 2014.

Last month, in one of the largest transactions in the Indian commercial real estate segment, Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management agreed to buy nearly 4 million sq ft of office and retail assets in the Mumbai suburb of Powai for a deal that will be close to $1 billion.

The deal is said to be the largest purchase of commercial assets in Mumbai to date, as international investors, including Blackstone and GIC, as well as China's Fosun and Dalian Wanda, increasingly turn to the subcontinent for high growth opportunities.

The deal is Brookfield's second major property investment in India, and the latest of several moves by the asset manager in the subcontinent.

In 2014 Brookfield agreed with Unitech Corporate Parks to pay $525 million for a subsidiary of that Indian developer which held 100 percent of four special economic zones and 60 percent of another two of the office park developments. Brookfield later went on to buy out the remaining 40 percent equity in the two remaining projects.

The Canadian firm also got in-

volved in Indian infrastructure just over a year ago, buying six road and three power projects from India's Gammon Infrastructure Projects in a joint venture with a fund controlled by India's Kotak

ment also signed a preliminary agreement to buy about $1 billion in Indian distressed assets through a joint venture with the largest lender in the South Asian nation.

British Columbia Finance Minister Mike de Jong with Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during his visit to New Delhi to strengthen economic ties

Mahindra Capital. In July of this year Brookfield Asset Manage-

India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who visited Canada earlier

this year, said institutions like the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), have been investing in Indian realty assets for the last few years.

The CPP Fund, for instance, controls nearly US $225 billion and it hosted a meeting for the finance minister. He pointed out that in the past 24 months or so, Canadian investors, including pension funds, have invested nearly $12 billion in India.

While the new survey touted Indian cities, Tokyo fell from first place in the 2016 rankings to 12th for next year, reflecting growing discontent with the effect of Abenomics on a long stagnant market.

Singapore, which ranked first in the survey in 2011 and 2012, fell to 21st for next year, down from 11th, the result of what PwC calls a "perfect storm" for the local property market. That includes 12 straight quarters of declining prices in the residential market, as well as a sputtering economy that contracted in the third quarter.

The Singapore Government has been steadfast in its commitment to cool the housing market, maintaining real-estate curbs rolled out since 2009.

-Courtesy South Asian Post

Fresh look at allegations against DLF NEW DELHI: In fresh trouble for DLF, the Competition Appellate Tribunal has ordered CCI to look afresh into allegations of the realty giant abusing its dominant position with respect to a case wherein the fair trade watchdog had earlier declined to conduct a probe.

The Compat order followed an appeal by Ess Cee Securities Private Limited and Signature Securities Private Limited against the earlier decision of Competition Commission of India (CCI) against directing an investigation into alleged abuse of dominance by the realty player with regard to their DLF Capital Greens Phase-III residential project here.

The appellants had booked apartments in the project in 2010 with payment of preliminary book-

ing amount and had also made certain subsequent payments.

They later alleged that "delayed interest charges were levied (on them by the developer) despite the substantial delay in the construc-

pally alleging abuse of dominance," the Compat observed in its 14-page order.

After looking into the complaint, the CCI had observed "in regards to dominance of DLF in

The appellants had booked apartments in the project in 2010 with payment of preliminary booking amount and had also made certain subsequent payments. tion of the project", which they described as a "luxury residential project in Delhi".

In their complaint, the two appellants listed out "various allegations against the respondents (DLF Universal Limited and DLF Home Developers Limited) princi-

the relevant market, it is noted that in the geographic region of Delhi, DLF is just one of the real estate developers engaged in the provision of services relating to development and sale of residential apartment."

Cont’d on page 51

Real Estate Post

December 16, 2016

India Post 51

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'Post-demonetization best time to invest' DUBAI: Top real estate developers from across India are taking part in a property show here which is being described as a "perfect opportunity" for NRIs living in the UAE to invest postdemonetization.

The three-day show is playing host to top developers across India with thousands of various properties ranging from apartments, villas, row houses, plots, commercial to retail prop-

erties to suit their budget.

"For NRIs residing in the UAE, the Indian Property Show is more than just a real-estate exhibition," said R Srividya, General Manager Corporate Sales and Brand Engagement, Indian Property Show at Sumansa Exhibitions.

"It is a perfect opportunity to touch base with the latest happenings and updates on the realestate front back home particu-

larly now that we are witnessing several important measures that have impacted the realty industry directly and indirectly, he said.

"For NRIs, these changes herald good omen since many builders are already adopting 100 per cent transparency policy and cheque payments, which obviously boosts the trust level between the two parties, Srividya added.

"The implementation of Real

Lenders lower Kingfisher Villa price by 5%

Haryana to use 'Swiss' model to auction land

MUMBAI: Lenders to the defunct Kingfisher Airlines have decided to again put up for auction on December 22 the plush sea-facing Kingfisher Villa at Condolim in north Goa at a marginal discount of 5 per cent to the last reserve price.

The lenders have set the reserve price at Rs 81 crore this time compared to Rs 85.29 crore at the first auction of the property on October 19.

SBICap Trustee, which is auctioning the property, said the reserve price for the property has been kept at Rs 81 crore and it would be put on sale on December 22.

The villa was once used by Vijay Mallya to host lavish parties.

After failed attempts to attract

buyers in the first auction for different movable and immovable properties of the liquor baron Mallya, like Kingfisher House and various trademarks of the airlines, the lenders have reduced the reserve price by 10 per cent each.

The luxury jet once owned by Mallya failed to get even onetenth of the reserve price event at the third auctions last week.

In the first attempt to sell the airline's erstwhile headquarters Kingfisher House in the city in March this year, the lenders had kept the reserve price at Rs 150 core but reduced it by 10 per cent to Rs 135 crore in the second auc-

tion later in August, which also failed.

For the third time, lenders had put on block the Kingfisher House on December 19, with a reserve price 15 per cent lower at Rs 115 crore from the second auction in August.

In the two failed attempts to sell the long-grounded Kingfisher Airline's brands and trademarks this year, the reserve price was lowered from Rs 366.70 crore to Rs 330.03 crore. However, it also could not attract any bidders.

The lenders are once again auctioning the movable properties 10 cars ranging from Toyota Innova, Honda City, Honda Civic and Toyota Camry, among others, worth Rs 15.72 lakh. These cars would be auctioned on an indi-

vidual basis on January 5, 2017.

Mallya owes over Rs 9,000 crore to lenders like SBI, PNB, IDBI Bank, BoB, Allahabad Bank, Federal Bank and Axis Bank, among others. He had left the country on March 3 this year and is currently said to be in Britain.

Last month, the CBI had initiated an extradition request to bring back Mallya from the United Kingdom through a Special Court in Mumbai.

The investigative agencies secured a non-bailable warrant against Mallya, following it with an extradition request from a London special court.-PTI

KOLKATA: Haryana government has decided to adopt Swiss Challenge method for auctioning 3,000 acres of land for a USD 10 billion industrial park proposed by the Chinese Wanda group.

"The Chinese company is expected to submit the Detailed Project Report very soon. We will go for Swiss Challenge model for auction of the 3,000 acres land proposed for the industrial park that will attract an investment of USD 10 billion," Haryana Principal Industry Secretary Devender Singh told PTI. Swiss Challenge method is a new process of giving contracts.

Any person with credentials can submit a development proposal to the government. That proposal will be put online and a second person can give suggestions to improve it and beat that proposal.

The park is likely to come up near Kharkhoda along the KundliManesar-Palwal (KMP) expressway where 3,000 acres is currently available with the Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC).

Under the plan, the Wanda group, one of China's biggest real estate developers, will develop an industrial park as well as an entertainment theme park, officials said, The company would also bring in Chinese investors in tourism and real estate to develop the park.

Singh said that the industrial park will not stay exclusive to companies of any particular country.

Haryana government was also contemplating to bring some modifications in the new Land Acquisition Act aiming at smooth land acquisition process without compromising on compensation, he added.-PTI

Estate Regulation Act (RERA) mand. We expect home loan rates rules, have also been instrumen- to be down to approx. 7-8 per tal in bringing professionalism, cent," said Dharmesh Shah, Vice standardization and transpar- President Head Residential Sales ency in real-estate sector. This, and Marketing, Adani Realty. along with the recent wave of de"By bringing greater complimonetization has helped the In- ance, RERA will help making realdian realty industry emerge more estate class more efficient, transtransparent and buyer-friendly," parent and healthy than any he said. other asset class, so best time to Despite initial hiccups, ex- buy real estate is now," Shah perts foresee an uplift of the real- added. estate sector in the long-term as "The passing of RERA the a result of these corrective mea- Benami Transactions Act and sures. Consumer sentiment has already improved over the last "By bringing greater comyear, and reputed depliance, RERA will help velopers are reporting higher transactions. making real-estate class With RERA Bill in place in particular, NRI more efficient, transparent consumers will no and healthy than any other longer have to deal with delayed posses- asset class� sion, fluctuating prices and diversion of funds towards the demonetization move will other projects to name a few in- ensure the sector loses much of stilling confidence in the Indian its historic taint. Only players developers and the country's who conduct their business with real-estate sector. integrity are expected to survive.

"The direct and most signifi"This bodes well for end-users, cant benefit of demonetization is who will be aware of their rights increased liquidity across the and have the assurance of not banks. Such availability of funds being cheated. They will be able will lead to lowering the rate of to buy properties of their choice interest across different loans at affordable prices, in projects which will in turn reduce EMI which will undoubtedly be delivgiving a boost to real-estate de- ered on time," he said.-PTI

CCI to look afresh at allegations against DLF Cont’d from page 50

The Tribunal, however, said, "It is apparent that the Commission has not considered relevant product market in terms of the request made by the informant.

"It may be recalled that informant in his information had stated that they had booked luxury apartments and therefore, their choice for selection of apartments was limited."

Citing submissions made by the appellants, the Compat observed, "It is quite clear that the Commission has not shown consistency in the manner in which they handled information on a similar subject in its earlier decision".

The Tribunal, however, said, "We do not wish to go any further in this matter to express our thoughts on whether the respondents are in a dominant position in the relevant market.

Our basic objective behind this discussion was to see whether there is a consistency in the Commission's approach in determination of the relevant product market and it has come quite clear

that impugned order lacks that consistency."

"If for some reason the Commission was not convinced with declaring relevant product market in the manner in which the informant had requested, it should have given a speaking well analyzed reason for not adhering to its established views.

"We, therefore, conclude by saying that the Commission has erred in defining the relevant market in this case and in our opinion relevant market should be 'the provision of services relating to development and sale of high-end luxury residential apartments in Delhi'. We have not ventured into determining the position of dominance as that is a matter which the Commission needs to examine."

Consequently, Compat remitted the case to CCI "for deciding whether the respondents are in a dominant position in the relevant market as determined above, and whether they have abused their dominance and thereby acted in contravention of Section 4(2) of the Act."-PTI

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Philosophy

December 16, 2016

India Post 53

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W

ords are things. In fact, they are even more thingy than material things. If you are hit by a rock, the wound might take days to heal. But harsh words can cause a wound that festers for years, and the pain can last a lifetime.

Because we can't see them, we throw words around without much consideration for their effect. But words leave lasting impressions.

Dr. Wilder Penfield, the great Canadian neurosurgeon, describes vividly the experiments that demonstrated how easily words we thought were long forgotten can be revived by electric stimulation of the brain. It's all still there, recorded deep in consciousness emotional depth charges ready to explode when they are triggered.

That is why the Buddha considered Right Speech to be as important as Right Action. I think he would have liked the Arab proverb that everything we say should pass three gatekeepers: "Is it true?

Is it kind? Is it necessary?"

Before words get past the lips, the first gatekeeper asks, "Is this true?" That stops a lot of traffic immediately. But if the words get past the first gatekeeper, there is a second who asks, "Is it kind?" And for those words that qualify here too, the last gatekeeper asks: "Is it necessary?"

With these three on guard, most

ADYASHANTI

T

he false self grows out of unconscious being. It is a fragmented amalgam of many selves tenuously bound together by a faรงade of normalcy. It is a divided house built upon an imaginary foundation, a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. The false self is the greatest barrier (all barriers are imagined, of course) to the realization of our true identity of universal being.

The false self is essentially a psychological process occurring in the mind that organizes, translates, and makes sense (or in many cases nonsense) of all incoming data from the senses.

When this psychological process mixes together with the selfreflexive movement of consciousness, it produces a sense of self. This sense of self then pervades consciousness as a sort of perfume that causes the mind to mistake what is actually a psychological process for being an actual separate entity called one's self.

This mistaken conclusion happens very early in life in a more or less automatic and unconscious way. By identifying with a particular name that belongs to a particu-

of us would find very little to say.

Here I think it is necessary to make exceptions in the interests of good company and let the third gatekeeper look the other way now and then. After all, a certain amount of pleasant conversation is part of the artistry of living. But the first two gatekeepers should always be on duty.

It is so easy to say something at the expense of another for the purpose of enhancing our own image. But such remarks, irresistible as they may be, serve only to fatten our own egos and agitate others. We should be so fearful of hurting people that even if a clever

Any little remark that fails these tests - a joke, a wisecrack, thoughtless gossip, an unverified "fact" or tightly-clenched opinion - can wreck a relationship, destroy trust, even cost a job. But the most glaring violation of Right Speech is the everyday quarrel. We just don't seem to know how to disagree without being disagreeable.

It starts simply enough: someone says something we disagree with, and for some reason we get angry. (Why? I have never seen the connection.) Or, of course, we say something they disagree with and they get angry. Either way, after just a few words, tempers fray

minutes one is saying, "That's not what you told me last Saturday in front of the Wide World of Shoes!"

And the other replies - see the absurdity of it! - "That wasn't in front of the Wide World of Shoes. It was the Narrow World of Shoes."

Anything to quarrel, anything to contradict.

I used to ask my teacher, my grandmother, "Granny, if you found yourself in a situation like this, what would you do?" It took years for me to understand her simple answer: "Son, I wouldn't get into a situation like that."

This is very practical advice.

Even if somebody is being rude to

Swallow your cleverness than hurt someone

Eknath Easwaran

Before words get past the lips, the first gatekeeper asks, "Is this true?" That stops a lot of traffic immediately. But if the words get past the first gatekeeper, there is a second who asks, "Is it kind?"

remark is rushing off our tongue, we can barricade the gate. We should be able to swallow our cleverness rather than hurt someone.

Better to say something banal but harmless than to be clever at someone else's expense.

and language starts deteriorating.

How many times have I heard even educated people begin an emotionally charged dialogue with the best of intentions: "We won't quarrel. Let us confine ourselves to the subject at hand." Within five

you or unkind, it doesn't help to be unkind in return. It doesn't help them and it doesn't help you.

Excerpted from 'Words to Live By.' The 106th birth anniversary of Ekanth Easwaran will be observed on December 17

lar body and mind, the self begins the process of creating a separate identity. Add in a complex jumble of ideas, beliefs, and opinions, along with some selective and often painful memories, as well as the raw emotional energy to hold it all together, and before you know it, you've got a very convincingthough divided-self.

This is not to say that in the development of a human being the false self has no purpose or use; it

psychological autonomy, and even those who do are often so entranced by the false self that they never imagine its illusory nature or what lies beyond it. But once true autonomy is developed, the self is no longer needed, in the same way that infancy is no longer needed when you grow into adulthood.

It may, however, be more accurate to say that it is the autonomy that is truly important, and that the

mind-animated by the conflicted emotional energy of separation.

It's about as real as last night's dream. And when you stop thinking it into existence, it has no existence at all.

At the core of the false self is a void of deficiency derived from an essential turning away from one's own divinity, either out of natural development, despair, or simply by succumbing to the trance of the world. The false self orbits around

False self - An obstacle as well as doorway The self develops in order that you may gain a healthy sense of individuation and autonomy that helps you navigate life in a way conducive to your survival and well-being. is simply to say that it has no existence whatsoever outside of the mind. The self develops in order that you may gain a healthy sense of individuation and autonomy that helps you navigate life in a way conducive to your survival and well-being.

Few people ever develop true

false self is essentially an imaginary by-product of the self-reflexive mechanism of consciousness identifying itself with the endless movement of conditioned thinking. The problem is that the self that you became convinced was the real you is a phantom that exists only as an abstraction in your

Adyashanti

this vacuous abyss at its core, in silent terror of its nameless, faceless threat of oblivion. The false self is both an obstacle and a doorway through which you must pass on your way to awakening to the dimension of being.

Excerpted from 'The Way of Liberation'

The absolute is a sphere whose center is nowhere and whose circumference is everywhere.

-St. Bonaventure

Eternal nothingness is fine if you happened to be dressed for it.

-Woody Allen

Once you have seen the face of God, you see the same face on everyone you meet.

-Deng Ming-Dao

You will get to your maturity quickly if you stay in the nothingness.

-Nisargadatta Maharaj

The eye with which I see God is the same eye that God sees me.

-Meister Eckhart

This very body is the buddha. This very place is the lotus paradise.

-Buddha

We can see the drop in the ocean, but can we see the ocean in the drop?

Do not attribute duality to God. All existence is God and nothing is outside of God. -Rabbi Moses Cordovero Life is one indivisible whole.

-Mahatma Gandhi

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December 16, 2016

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Will there be paradigm shift in Trump's China Policy?

India Post

CHINTAMANI MAHAPATRA

C

andidate Trump's positions on China during the long election campaign and President-elect Trump's tweets and phone calls have generated the impression of a coming paradigm shift in Washington's approach to China under the Trump administration.

Whether trade, investment or security issues, Trump has yet to

response to Trump's phone conversation with the Taiwanese President? First of all, the general perception in China during the US presidential election was that Trump would be a pragmatic leader and businessman who would safeguard the deep SinoUS economic cooperation and not allow issues such as human rights to muddy the relationship.

great again." Trump's rhetoric to make "America great again" is interpreted as his conviction that US' global influence had declined while China's had increased, and thus there is a need for course correction.

China would have carefully monitored Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's New York visit and meeting with the President-

Donald Trump talks to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen

say something substantially positive about China since the campaign days. He promised to raise the tariffs on imports from China to an extent that could threaten a trade war, inducing many US analysts to warn about the negative impact of a trade war with China.

When President-elect Trump had a telephonic conversation with the President of Taiwan, China issued a modest reprimand, but others saw in it a paradigm shift in US policy. The reason is simple.

No US President-elect or President has had a telephonic conversation with a Taiwanese President since the 1979 US agreement with China

Chinese analysts also felt that the Trump administration would not uphold its traditional alliances in the Asia-Pacific, thus reducing strategic pressure on China. Secondly, when the Trump team contended that the President-elect merely responded to a congratulatory call from Taipei rather than took the initiative himself, the blame suddenly shifted to the Taiwanese President. China promptly admonished and warned Taiwan's pro-democracy political forces.

Many others, however, quickly pointed out that the telephone conversation was premeditated and part of a political strategy to

While the details of Trump's Asia-Pacific policy are not known yet, both the strategic competitors and allies of the US appear to be in a state of anxiety about the Trump administration to view Taiwan as part of China in acceptance of the "one China" policy.

China retains the right to annex Taiwan by force, while accepting the US view that Taiwan's final annexation with the mainland should be peaceful. The US, on the other hand, seeks to ensure peace by underwriting Taiwan's defense preparedness through the supply of 'defensive' weapons.

China usually fumes when Washington supplies sophisticated weaponry to Taiwan or a Taiwanese leader visits the US under some pretext or the other.

What explains Beijing's modest

send signals, and was in no way a coincidence. China's suspicion deepened when Trump tweeted that China did not consult the US before devaluing its currency and caused losses to US businesses.

He also complained against China's land reclamation in the South China Sea and its construction of military facilities.

The Chinese perception has to an extent changed again, and Trump is suspected of believing that US-China relations are zerosum and that the greater loss has been to the US in recent decades.

He will thus act tough on the rising superpower to make "America

elect. Earlier, Beijing appeared more relaxed with Trump's remarks that Japan and South Korea should fend for themselves or pay more for their protection by the US military. Washington's differences with the allies would bring strategic benefits to Beijing. But Trump has apparently assured Tokyo, Seoul and many other allies of substantive continuity in US policy towards allies.

While the details of Trump's Asia-Pacific policy are not known yet, both the strategic competitors and allies of the US appear to be in a state of anxiety about the Trump administration. China expects the 'business-as-usual' approach, since it has very high stakes in its trade and investment ties with the US and its economy is passing through a difficult transition. Japan, South Korea, Australia and other strategic allies do not desire any turbulence in their alliance relationship with the US. It is likely that Trump will try to promote economic ties with China without conceding to China's spreading foothold in strategic areas. Simultaneously, he will try to extract more defense burdensharing from US' strategic allies.

This way, he will try to strengthen US' military and economic presence in the region. The 'pivot to Asia', 'Asian rebalancing', TransPacific Partnership (TPP) may become things of the past. Trump's engagement with the region will thus neither be a paradigm shift nor will it be business as usual.

The writer is Rector and Professor, JNU, & Columnist, IPCS

I

Nation of singers

ndia is turning into a nation of singers. At least three major TV channels are running singing competition realty shows almost at the same prime time. The auditions for these shows bring out crazy crowds from every city visited; almost each one in the crowd believing himself or herself as a competent singer.

These shows are so successful that they come back every year and are even being cloned, giving the impression that there must be legions of good singers and a growing number of appreciating listeners since we know the ultimate winners are decided by online voters.

Soon after the Zee channel had crowned its Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner early this year, the & TV channel began its Voice Kids realty singing show. The kids turned out to be phenomenal singers. As this serial came to a close with awarding of Rs 25 lakh to a 10-year old from Sultanpur, UP, a similar competition for adults was announced by the same channel and is now running into its third week. This is also throwing up great talent.

Simultaneously the Sony channel has announced its Indian Idol adult competition later this month. Not to be left behind, the Star Plus channel has started auditions for its own singing competition called Dil Hai Hindustani. Most of the singers participating in these shows aspire to be Bollywood playback singers. And indeed among those making it to Bollywood recently was 13 year old Indian Idol Junior finalist Nahid Afrin, who was invited to make her playback debut with Sonakshi Sinha's film 'Akira'.

The present scenario is so far away from what used to be the Golden Years of Bollywood music when it was not possible for the best of singers in the country to break the monopoly of stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar or Mukesh.

Interestingly even Lata Mangeshkar herself has been watching these shows and has even complimented some talented singers. Her sister, Asha Bhonsle, an equally great singer in her own right, has even participated as a judge on some of the shows and has been an honorable guest as well.

It is not surprising that many of the singers in the top bracket today have come up through these realty singing channels, prominent names among them being Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Kunal Ganjawala.

Certainly there are more opportunities today and there is greater competition. It may be that singers of today are no patch on the Bollywood greats of yesteryears but the point to note is that they are so many singing and being heard and appreciated today thanks to the medium of TV. These singers also have the scope to sing on stage, sing for functions or even being invited for shows abroad based on their performances on these realty shows.

These singing shows are not confined to Hindi and North India.

Successful singing realty shows are being organized in South India as well with great success. Many regional language channels have their own singing realty shows.

This singing crowd has found audience in the US as well. In fact there is enough local Indian American singing talent emerging which has taken the Desi crowds by storm.

It is said that the former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was once asked to compare the Indian and Pakistani people when Pakistan was trying to raise temperatures on Kashmir, as usual. She did not say anything about the Pakistanis, just passing the question with the hint of a smile. But about India she said that far from war-mongering, the Indian people were just absorbed in Bollywood.

In today's context this statement can be amended to say that the Indian people are obsessed with singing in or listening to the talent shows on TV. It could be mind-boggling if Pakistan could be interested in a common talent show for both the countries.

December 16, 2016

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